CJ Sapong had a career year with the Union in 2017, and showed he was one of the best American goal scorers in the league. It earned him his first call-up with the US Men's National Team since 2012, and he was eager to show the organization he belonged.
Mission accomplished.
Sapong, in just his third international appearance ever, got the nod as the team's starting striker against Portugal, ranked No. 3 in the world. The USMNT played a 4-1-4-1, and with Sapong's experience playing alone at the top with the Union and what he had shown in camp leading up to the match, he was the easy choice to start.