What Happened
Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard commented on the rise of Patrick Agyemang as a potential answer to the national team`s long-standing difficulty in finding a consistent striker. The Charlotte FC forward has impressed during the Gold Cup campaign, netting two goals in four appearances. Howard praised the 24-year-old`s mindset and stressed the importance of him continuing his hard work.
Speaking on the *Unfiltered Soccer* podcast with Landon Donovan, Howard remarked, “Agyemang – again, you said it – maybe not super long-term, but he’s currently getting the opportunity and making the most of it.” He described Agyemang as a player who “mucks it up, makes it nasty, he’s good on the ball, and makes intelligent runs.” Howard challenged the notion that Agyemang isn`t the long-term solution by asking, “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?” He pointed out that other potential candidates are either injured or not seeing regular playing time. “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 concluded.
What Tim Howard Said
The former Everton custodian also suggested that Agyemang`s performance has significantly changed the competition for the number nine spot, requiring other hopefuls to now reassert their claims.
“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 other striker vying for the number nine role will now face fewer opportunities to prove themselves because Agyemang has earned more chances through his performance.
“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 Bigger Picture
The USMNT has faced a persistent challenge across multiple World Cup cycles in identifying a consistent center forward. Various players have shown potential but none have definitively made the position their own. Agyemang`s timely breakthrough at the Gold Cup, under manager Mauricio Pochettino, could potentially resolve a significant tactical weakness that has plagued the national team for years.
What’s Next?
Patrick Agyemang and the USMNT are set to compete against Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinals. The match is scheduled for this Wednesday in St. Louis.
