Crisis or opportunity? Key questions for USMNT's World Cup striker pool

"Pepi was on a good run, had a strong training camp and was all the way back," said PSV coach Peter Bosz of the injury. "All signs were green for a strong second half of the season, so this is incredibly disappointing."

Pepi's forearm fracture should take just over two months to heal, which means he may not be available for the USMNT's March matches against Belgium and Portugal. If he misses those games — and another USMNT striker shines in his absence — he may find himself on the outside looking in for his second World Cup running.

Can Josh Sargent recover his scoring mojo?

Josh Sargent is one of the USMNT's most recognizable global players, but incredibly, the Missouri-born striker hasn't scored for the national team since 2019. He looked set to change that on the road to the World Cup after kicking off his club season with the Championship's Norwich City with four goals in four games. Pochettino rewarded Sargent's goalscoring prowess by starting him in the USMNT's September friendly against South Korea ... and from there, things fell apart with a quickness.

Sargent failed to impress with the USMNT in that match and hasn't suited up for the national team since. He's also struggled to score for Norwich. After his strong start to the season, he's hit a dry spell, scoring just twice in 16 straight league starts.

Sargent's solution? A change of scenery. He's pushing for a move to MLS (likely Toronto FC) in the January transfer window in a last-ditch bid to improve his stats before the World Cup. 

It's a risky strategy. Three different Europe-based players — goalkeeper Matt Turner, attacker Paxten Aaronson and midfielder Luca de la Torre— made the MLS switch in the past year with the same goal in mind. None of them has made their mark on Pochettino's USMNT.

Can Patrick Agyemang develop quickly enough?

Derby County's Patrick Agyemang isn't the obvious choice for the USMNT, but he is a strong sleeper pick. Where Pepi lacks fitness and consistency, Agyemang has started 16 straight domestic league games in the 2025-26 season. Where Sargent lacks goals, Agyemang is starting to get them; he's scored five in his last 16 to Sargent's two.

Agyemang has always been something of a late bloomer, but there's a chance that he's blooming right in time to usurp his U.S. teammates. If he continues this form with Derby County, he'll have an outside shot at sneaking into the USMNT's World Cup squad.