Josh Sargent: 17 Year Old U.S. Striker is already Breaking Records

The hype surrounding U-20 U.S. National Team star, Josh Sargent is real. Sargent is currently in the Korea Republic representing the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup and boy is he representing. After just 2 games in the tournament he has already scored 3 goals as the U.S. have taken 4 points out of a possible 6 and are currently sitting atop of their group with one game to play. Sargent is doing what so many young stars in the past have done at major tournaments; he is introducing himself to the world. While this may be his coming out party, Sargent has been doing this at the U-17 level for some time now.

The Saint Louis, Missouri product burst onto the scene during the 2016 Nike International Friendlies where he scored 4 goals and added 2 assists in just four games for the U-17’s. He continued his fine form through this spring’s regional World Cup Qualifying tournament scoring five goals and notching two assists in five games. His performance earned the U.S. a berth in the U-17 World Cup in India this October. Shortly after qualifying, Sargent received a call up from U-20 Head Coach, Tab Ramos. Ramos and his coaching staff had been watching Sargent closely and knew they needed a match-winner in Korea.

Sargent on the moment he got the call up:

“I found out right after we had qualified for the U-17 World Cup with our win against Cuba…Coach [John] Hackworth pulled me aside and told me I had made the U-20 roster. I was obviously very excited; I had a big smile on my face…I don’t even know how to explain it now. It was just an amazing feeling.”

Source: https://www.ussoccer.com/us-under20-mens-national-team

If you’re keeping score at home you’re probably asking if Sargent will represent the U.S. in both the U-17 & U-20 World Cups. The answer is yes. If he does pull double duty, he will be one of only two players to ever to do both in the same calendar year. At just 17 years and 91 days old he is already breaking records. He is now the youngest player in U.S. history to score and record a multi-goal game at a U-20 World Cup. Should he elect to join the MLS, Sporting Kansas City owns his rights. However, with one breakout performance after the next it will be exciting to see what sort of offers he receives from teams abroad. Until then, we can all marvel at the rising star that is Josh Sargent.

Sargent’s Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pSeVlAWCg8