FIFA U-17 WC: All eyes on Joshua as USA looks to seal top spot

Joshua Sargent, who scored four goals for U.S. in U-20 World Cup 2017 earlier this year, also wore the captain’s armband against Ghana and piloted his team to two wins from two matches.

Josh Sargent (left) celebrates his goal against India during their FIFA U-17 World Cup match in New Delhi.

 

Indian fans got a close look at Joshua Sargent when he stepped up to successfully convert a penalty kick. It was the first of the three goals scored by United States in U-17 World Cup 2017 opener against India in Group A.

Sargent, who scored four goals for U.S. in U-20 World Cup 2017 earlier this year, also wore the captain’s armband against Ghana and piloted his team to two wins from two matches. When USA takes on Colombia in its final group fixture at the D.Y. Patil stadium on Thursday, fans will be eager to get a glimpse of him.

READ: USA focussed on winning U-17 title

A goal-scoring machine, Sargent is the only U.S. player to figure in the U-17 World Cup after competing higher in U-20 age group in the same year.

Colombian defenders are expected to keep a close watch on the teenager who was on the radar of European club managements long before the trip to India. The striker trained with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, German club Schalke before choosing to further his career in the Bundesliga next season by joining Werder Bremen.

Sargent’s team-mates available for the Group A tie includes Ajax’s Sergino Dest, Paris St Germain’s Timothy Weah. SL Benfica’ Dos Santosh and CF Monterre’ Jacobo Reyes.

Colombia struggled to contain the quick-footed Indians on the counter-attacks. Its defense will be exposed against the US, giving time and space for Sargent, a Lionel Messi fan, to move in for the kill.