USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang subject of $8m offer from Derby County
Advertisement
Agyemang has green lit the move to Derby, whose offer has not yet been accepted by Charlotte FC.
The 24-year-old has drawn interest from several European clubs dating back to last summer. Charlotte previously rejected a $4 million approach from Luton Town, according to GiveMeSport.
Agyemang, 24, has 18 goals and six assists in 63 career games with Charlotte FC. The 6-foot-4 native of East Hartford, Connecticut, played collegiately at Eastern Connecticut State, an NCAA Division III side, and Rhode Island before being drafted 12th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
Agyemang made his debut with the U.S. national team this January under coach Mauricio Pochettino, scoring twice across a pair of U.S. wins. Those performances earned him continued call-ups, and he has been the U.S.'s starting striker for this summer's Gold Cup. Agyemang has five goals in 10 U.S. appearances.
Derby County finished in 19th place in the Championship in 2024-25, one point out of the relegation zone in England's second tier.
It would be a big move at a crucial time for Agyemang.
His competition at the forward position with the U.S. squad is deep. One of his rivals for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster, Josh Sargent, plays in the same league and was one of the Championship's best strikers last season.
Agyemang will get plenty of games at Derby, but he'll need to show he can score consistently in order to secure a place on the World Cup roster. Moves in the year leading up to the World Cup always carry risk.
There is a good example with the U.S. team: Ricardo Pepi moved from FC Dallas to Augsburg in Germany's Bundesliga in January 2022, less than a year out from the Qatar tournament. Pepi couldn't stay on the field in Germany and despite a loan to Groningen in Holland in September, and a flurry of goals, it wasn't enough to get him back into Gregg Berhalter's squad in the winter.
Agyemang has clearly made a good impression on Pochettino but if this deal gets across the line, he'll need his form to carry him through to next summer.
(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
41 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
With a 'chip on their shoulder', the U.S. men's team has your attention again
Gold Cup With a 'chip on their shoulder', the U.S. men's team has your attention again Published Jul. 1, 2025 7:31 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link ST. LOUIS — Three short weeks ago, the U.S. men's national team was at perhaps its lowest point since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The Americans had suffered a 4-0 drubbing by Switzerland on June 10 that was, once again, marked by a distressing lack of intensity. It was the fourth straight defeat for the U.S., stretching back to deserved losses to regional rivals Canada and Panama in March. That absence of urgency against Switzerland and the preceding loss to Türkiye on June 7 had become a recurring theme dating to at least July 2024, when the USMNT became the first Copa América host in history to be eliminated before the knockout stage. To make matters worse, star man Christian Pulisic asked coach Mauricio Pochettino if he could skip the Gold Cup. Other regular starters (Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah) were out, too. Interest in the team plummeted. A year away from the 2026 World Cup on home soil, die-hard and casual USMNT fans alike were less enthusiastic than ever about their country's chances of making a deep run on the biggest stage in sports next summer. ADVERTISEMENT Four Gold Cup wins later, a skeleton squad stocked mostly with scrappy reserves has some of the most cynical U.S. supporters starting to believe again. This U.S. squad entered the summer on a low point, but has found a renewed spark at the Gold Cup. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images) "It could have been a not-great situation going into the Gold Cup," veteran defender Tim Ream said Tuesday, two days after the Americans' dramatic shootout win over Costa Rica that sent them to Wednesday's semifinal against Guatemala at a sold-out Energizer Park (kickoff at 7 p.m. ET; coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET on FS1). "But everybody used it as a learning experience and a moment to understand what it would take to come together to play in the tournament, survive, and continue to move on. "The bonds that are being created in such a short amount of time, I don't think you can speak about it enough," Ream added. "It's something that maybe we've not necessarily had enough of in the past." Alexi Lalas on USA's PK win & what they'll look like in the Semifinals | FULL INTERVIEW | The Herd For decades, the USMNT had a well-earned reputation for punching above its weight. They won games they weren't supposed to. When they lost, they fought like hell. Nobody wanted to face the Americans. It made for a likable team that was easy to root for. That changed sometime after the 2022 World Cup. And it came to a head in March, when Pulisic and the rest of the usual starters finished dead last at the Concacaf Nations League finals — a competition they'd won the previous three editions of. Now, with most of the usual starters missing, the reserves have restored some of that pride. They have fought for the jersey and they have fought each other. Almost literally. Ream, one of a handful of holdovers from March along with fellow vets Tyler Adams, Chris Richards and Malik Tillman, wasn't the only player to mention the way teammates leaped to the defense of Tillman when Costa Rica forward Kenneth Vargas got in his face and taunted his first-half penalty miss. "Watching everybody rush in. It may sound weird, but that's an enjoyable thing to see," Ream said. "It shows that OK, finally, we're a group of guys that are going to push back. You're not going to push us around. We're not going to take that kind of s--- anymore." The U.S. roared back from an early 1-0 deficit to take the lead before ultimately prevailing in the tiebreaker. When Costa Rica's Kenneth Vargas began taunting Malik Tillman, plenty of U.S. players stepped up. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) Fans ate it up. Pochettino did, too. "Me, I'm Argentino," said the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham manager. "We love to fight." Pochettino noted that goalkeeper Matt Freese, the hero of the shootout, ran the length of the field to enter the scrum and protect Tillman. "That means a lot, because it means that we are connected, that we care about my teammates, and that needs to be natural between them." It can also be the difference between winning and losing. "Malik is probably one of the quietest guys in our group, and to see that happen to him, it's like, no, you're not going to pick on [him]," Ream said. "I was like, nah, this isn't happening." Sebastian Berhalter and Max Afrsten, with four and eight caps respectively, were among the first to confront Vargas. "When you get a group of guys who have maybe more of a chip on their shoulder than others," Ream continued. "That's something that they take with them." Matt Freese has risen to the occasion for the U.S. squad, highlighted by his penalty-kick masterclass against Costa Rica. (Photo by Jeremy Olson/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) They'll need it against Guatemala. Los Chapines stunned Canada, one of the pre-tourney favorites, in the quarters. What they lack in talent, FIFA's 106th-ranked side makes up for in pluck. While the Americans hold an all-time series record of 16W-5L-6T, the Guatemalans have upset the U.S. in the past, most recently during that disastrous 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle. "It's going to be a very difficult game," U.S. midfielder Luca de la Torre said. "We have to want it just as much, if not more than them, if we want a chance to win." It would be fair to wonder less than a month ago if this USMNT was up to the challenge of reaching the Gold Cup final. Pochettino himself might have been questioning it. Not anymore. "This group is going to give everything," he said, "to make our fans feel proud of us." Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ ByDougMcIntyre . share
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cameron Smith opens up on family dilemma as NRL legend considers career change
NRL legend Cameron Smith has admitted he would have to weigh-up his commitments ahead of accepting any role with the Kangaroos after revealing he understands Brad Fittler's reasons for rejecting the job. Fittler dropped a bombshell on the Australian Rugby League Commission after the former NSW coach confirmed he would not be accepting the Kangaroos coaching role. Mal Meninga stepped down as the national coach after accepting the Perth Bears role, which will now be a full-time position. And while Kevin Walters and Smith are reportedly in the running for the role, Fittler was the front-runner. However, on Monday Fittler removed himself from the race having committed to his media roles suggesting he had enough on his plate. Smith and Walters are now believed to be the frontrunners for the role with the international schedule starting in October. One of the factors working against Smith is he has no experience as a head coach, but previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team. The Melbourne Storm legend is regarded as one of the leading brains in the NRL, but has no desire to coach at club level. His knowledge of the game and his experience as the Kangaroos captain is what makes him an attractive candidate for the role. Smith said he is open to the idea, but has not spoken to anyone official about the role. Although he echoed Fittler's sentiment and suggested he still values his family time and would have to weigh-up the role if he is approached. "I think for me, if I was to take on the role or even consider taking on the role, I'd have to have a conversation with someone about what the role would entail, what the commitments would be," he said on 100% Footy. "Of course, there's an Ashes coming up and then a World Cup next year as well. "I think for me, if I was to take on the role or even consider taking on the role, I'd have to have a conversation with someone about what the role would entail, what the commitments would be. "As Freddy said, he's got a great job with Channel Nine, as do I, I love my role with the commentary team at the moment, I've got three young kids as well, I'm up in Bundaberg watching my eldest play netball (tonight). But it's a wonderful opportunity to be able to coach our country. I was lucky enough to play for Kangaroos many, many times. To be able to coach such a wonderful team full of wonderful footballers would be a great opportunity." On Tuesday, Fittler admitted it was a difficult decision to turn down the opportunity with his media roles taking up enough time as it stands. 'There was an opportunity there,' Fittler told the Wide World of Sports. 'I was grateful for (the NRL for) thinking of me. My commitment is to Channel 9, I work for the NRL in participation and commercial. I'm enjoying that. 'When the role came about I started planning and thinking this is probably for someone else at the moment. 'I agonised (over the decision). What an incredible opportunity, but I didn't think I could do it justice. That's why I didn't want to commit. It's someone that needs a bit of time.' ELATED: Fresh push for rule change as anger over Walsh and Kiraz selection grows NRL world rallies around Broncos star after awful family development The concern for some in the rugby league community is Australia is four months out from the resurrected Ashes series with England that starts in October with no coach. A decision will have to be made relatively soon with the selection and plans to be laid out for the historic series. Australia and England have not taken part in an Ashes-style series in 20 years. The Kangaroos have won a record 13 consecutive Ashes series.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Groups express 'deep concern' about 2026 World Cup in US due to Trump's policies
More than 80 civil rights and labor groups sent a letter to FIFA on July 1 expressing "deep concern" over the U.S. government's immigration policies ahead of the 2026 World Cup in men's soccer. In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Donald Trump's executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer. They called on FIFA to "use its influence to encourage the U.S. government to guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans." "If FIFA continues to stay silent, not only will millions be placed at risk, but the FIFA brand will also be used as a public relations tool to whitewash the reputation of an increasingly authoritarian government," the civil rights and labor groups wrote. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP were among the most prominent national organizations to sign the letter, which was also endorsed by eight fan clubs of soccer teams. The United States is currently hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for men's soccer. FIFA did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment on the letter. The organization and its president, Gianni Infantino, have repeatedly said foreign spectators and teams will have no issues entering the country next summer. "The world is welcome in America," Infantino told reporters on May 15. "Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely also all the fans." The Trump administration has echoed that sentiment, albeit with the caveat that fans will not be allowed to overstay their visas or otherwise remain in the country following the tournament. "I know we'll have visitors probably from close to 100 countries," Vice President J.D. Vance said in May. "We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game(s). But when the time is up, they'll have to go home, otherwise they will have to talk to (U.S. Homeland Security) Secretary (Kristi) Noem." FIFA also faced questions and criticism from human rights advocacy organizations ahead of the last men's World Cup, in Qatar. The 2026 edition of the event, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, begins June 11. Contact Tom Schad at tschad@ or on social media @
