Americans Abroad Player of the Week: Haji Wright
Haji Wright did not score in each of his first two appearances of the new English Football League season but made up for those missed opportunities on Friday vs. Oxford United.
Wright scored twice including the winning goal as the Sky Blues defeated the visiting Uās 3-2 on home soil. The U.S. menās national team forward earned Man of the Match honors in Mark Robinsā squad, producing in a big way as Coventry City earned their first win of the EFL Championship campaign.
Wright broke the deadlock after 15 minutes, powering home Milan van Ewijkās cross into the back of the net.
After both teams traded goals throughout the match to make it 2-2, Wright had the final say in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Will Vaulksā defensive error allowed the 26-year-old Wright to pounce on a loose ball before racing upfield and slotted into the bottom-left corner.
It marked his first overall multi-goal performance since March 21 vs. Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League and his first at club level since March 9 vs. Watford.
The Sky Blues would hang on for an important home win with Wright playing the hero for the first time this season.
Coventry City will visit Bristol City on August 24 in league play before hosting Oxford United in the second round of the EFL Cup three days later.
Here is a look at some of the other top Americans Abroad performers from this past week:
Josh Sargent
Norwich City failed to earn all three points at home against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday but Josh Sargent did walk away with his first two contributions of the new season.
Sargent scored a screamer of a goal in the 65th minute before assisting on Borja Sainzās finish eight minutes later. However, John Eustaceās visiting Rovers used a tying goal in the 87th minute to earn a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road.
Sargent, who is reportedly linked with a potential return to the Premier League, would be a big loss for the Canaries this season.
Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson was one of Fulhamās positive performers on Friday despite a 1-0 opening weekend loss to Manchester United.
Robinson logged 90 minutes at left back, winning 10 duels, making six tackles, and two interceptions. The USMNT left back was influential in quieting down the right side of the Red Devilsā attack before Joshua Zirkzee came on to deliver the winning goal for Man United.
Fulham hosts Leicester City in its home opener on August 24.
Yunus Musah
AC Milan rallied late to earn one point against Torino in its Serie A opener on Saturday, with Yunus Musah making an impact off the bench.
Musah assisted on Noah Okaforās equalizing goal for the Rossoneri in a 2-2 draw with Torino at the San Siro. The USMNT midfielderās deadly cross from the right wing was volleyed home by Okafor in the 95th minute, helping the hosts fight back for a home draw.
Musah was influential in his 17-minute cameo, setting up seven shot attempts and registering his first assist of the campaign.
7 ā Yunus Musah, who entered in the 73rd minute, was involved in seven shots (5 shots, 2 chances created including the match-tying assist) for Milan on Saturday, the most by a player that entered a Serie A match at 73′ or later since Kevin Mirallas (8) in November 2018. Busy. pic.twitter.com/rhoufyamlf
ā OptaJackā½ļø (@OptaJack) August 17, 2024
Gabriel Slonina
Itās been a productive week for Gabriel Slonina.
Slonina followed up his Man of the Match EFL Cup performance midweek by delivering a seven-save outing in Saturdayās 2-1 League One victory for Barnsley over Lincoln City.
The Chelsea loanee made a total of 12 saves in last weekās pair of wins as he continues the early stages of his time at Barnsley.
What did you think of these individual performances this past weekend? Was there anyone left off the list that you wouldāve added?
Share your thoughts below.
