Agyemang`s Gold Cup Performance
Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard weighed in on Patrick Agyemang’s emergence as a potential answer to the national team`s persistent striker issue. The Charlotte FC forward has made a strong impression during the Gold Cup, scoring two goals in four matches. Howard commended the 24-year-old`s attitude and encouraged him to maintain his effort.
“Agyemang – again, you said it – maybe not super long-term, but he’s currently getting the opportunity and making the most of it,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast with Landon Donovan. “He mucks it up, makes it nasty, he’s good on the ball, and makes intelligent runs. If we’re saying Agyemang isn’t the out-and-out striker long-term, then I’d throw the question back to everybody – who is?
“I know there are a bunch of names we think could be world-beaters – where are they? They’re either injured or not playing. So Agyemang just needs to keep his head down, keep scoring, keep being the focal point of the attack, and I think he’ll continue to do the business.”
Howard`s View on the Competition
The ex-Everton keeper also suggested that Agyemang has fundamentally altered the competition for the number nine position for the American national team, meaning other contenders now need to reaffirm their standing.
“And like I said, he’ll be there thereabouts [for the 2026 World Cup] and the fact of the matter is, these guys are staking their claim right now,” Howard explained. “So, the people who aren’t here, guess what they’ve got to do? They’ve got to come in and they’ve got to stake their claim, so they’re already behind.”
He added, “For everybody who wants to talk strikers – and you [Donovan] know this because you’re a goalscorer – Agyemang has been doing the business – five goals in 10 games – he’s going to play the next two games. When the Gold Cup is over, there are 13 games before the World Cup? Let’s call it 10. Agyemang has staked his claim to the extent. Is he going to play every game? No. But he has earned the right to play five of those games.”
Howard further believes that any forward aspiring to compete for the starting striker spot will have reduced chances to do so because Agyemang has earned more opportunities to demonstrate his capability.
“So now what we’re saying is, the next striker who potentially could start is only going to get five opportunities. He’s [Agyemang] earned the right to take some of those opportunities away and give it to himself. So, it’s not like he had a great summer and now for the next 10 friendlies, they’re going to start someone else. No, that’s not how football works, he has forced the manager to say ‘You’ve got to play at least half the games’ so yeah, time’s running out for some of these guys.”
The Context
The USMNT has long struggled to find a consistent center forward, with several players showing fleeting promise over multiple World Cup cycles without making the position their own. Agyemang`s impressive showing in the Gold Cup comes at a crucial point in the national team`s development under Mauricio Pochettino, potentially offering a solution to a long-standing tactical vulnerability.
Upcoming Match
Patrick Agyemang and the USMNT are set to play against Guatemala in the semifinals of the Gold Cup on Wednesday in St. Louis.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood