ARLINGTON, Tex. — Over the weekend, as the U.S. men’s national soccer team was preparing to gather in greater Dallas ahead of the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, a forward performing at a high level in England and a midfielder competing in Spain’s top tier withdrew with injuries.
In the past, 11th-hour changes would have been problematic for a program operating with little room for error. U.S. depth is not like Argentina’s.
But when Josh Sargent, a 13-goal scorer in England’s second division, pulled out with an ankle ailment, Coach Gregg Berhalter turned to another 13-goal scorer on the same circuit, Haji Wright.