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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ex-USMNT star Gomez makes bold claim</li><li>Says Sargent is 'most-talented striker'</li><li>Reveals centre-forward position is biggest issue</li></ul>

Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi snubbed?! Ex-USMNT star tells Gregg Berhalter he should be picking Josh Sargent up front for Stars and Stripes

In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/herculez-gomez-its-not-copa-america-or-bust-for-usmnt-20231128-BUS-88395.html" target="_blank">BolaVIP,</a> the 41-year-old revealed his thoughts on the state of the striker position with the USMNT. With Folarin Balogun struggling to score consistently on the international stage, and Ricardo Pepi netting off the bench, Gomez has critiqued the centre-forwards at Berhalter's disposal. With both the Nations League semifinals and the Copa America on the horizon, it's now-or-never for someone to lock in the starting spot.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The USMNT striker position truly is up for grabs, with both Pepi and Balogun seemingly being the frontrunners at the moment. Sargent, who has shown glimpses every year he has taken the pitch, is currently sidelined due to injury, with there being an expectation that he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/when-usmnt-josh-sargent-play-again-return-date-pencilled-in-norwich-striker-ankle-surgery/bltaad073048b045428" target="_blank">returns to the pitch for Championship side Norwich come January.</a> Gomez, who hosts the ESPN show FutbolAmericas has long been critical of the USMNT's performances since the 2018 World Cup mishap, and has now made his position clear on the situation up front.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"I would say the two biggest spots up for grabs is the nine position, that has to go with the man of the moment, whoever is in the best form. It may change depending on the opponent. Another has to be the six position, without Tyler Adams that’s the position most up for grabs. Folarin Balogun has proven to be a very good striker for Monaco and at times he has proven to be very dangerous with his run of play and his movements, and how crisp he is with that movement and how decisive he can be with his runs and finishing. But you’re not always going to play those kinds of teams where he will have that room," he said."So, it’s common to be a very good club player and not a great national team player and that’s the balance, you need players who can prove it at the club level but can do it internationally also. Ricardo Pepi right now has every right to feel like he’s in the mix and deserves an opportunity. Josh Sargent, I always said, is the most talented nine in this pool. There are a lot of players that can still have a say in this nine battle (Brandon Vazquez, Daryl Dike), fans think it’s highest profile player he’s penciled in and no, when it comes to the nine position it’s who’s putting the ball in the back of the net, who is helping the team win."

WHAT GOMEZ SAID

U.S. Soccer announced that a<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/christian-pulisic-usmnt-slovenia-2024/blt4ac42324b4594f2a" target="_blank"> friendly against EURO 2024 side Slovenia is now on the schedule</a>, with the match being played on January 20. Until then, it's a waiting period for Berhalter and Co who need to discuss their January camp roster and more. With there being no recognized FIFA window, most European players will not be joining the USMNT for the match - so the likes of up-and-coming MLS stars like Diego Luna, Cade Cowell and Benjamin Cremaschi should feature.

WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?

Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi snubbed?! Ex-USMNT star tells Gregg Berhalter he should be picking Josh Sargent up front for Stars and Stripes | Goal.com

In an interview, ex-USMNT star Herculez Gomez reveals that he believes Josh Sargent is the &apos;most talented&apos; striker in the U.S. pool.