Haji's Stellar Start

Striker Bagged Another Goal in the EFL Championship in a Draw With Oxford

Haji Wright continues to showcase his clinical finishing ability for Coventry City, though his impressive form hasn't translated to a call-up for the United States Men's National Team's September friendlies under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The American striker was instrumental in Coventry's 2-2 draw with Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, opening the scoring with a well-taken goal that demonstrated his growing confidence in front of goal. After having an earlier effort ruled offside, Wright showed his persistence by finding the net just minutes later clean finish inside the box. The goal came through excellent build-up play, with Wright collecting a squared pass from Jack Rudoni before wriggling into space and delivering an angled shot that beat Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming at his near post.

This latest strike continues Wright's remarkable start to the 2024-25 campaign, having now scored five goals and provided one assist across six appearances in all competitions. His prolific form has been a driving force behind Coventry's strong early-season position, with the Sky Blues sitting second in the EFL Championship table. Frank Lampard has shown clear faith in the striker, making him the focal point of the attack for three consecutive league matches.

However, Wright's domestic success hasn't been enough to secure his place in Pochettino's first USMNT squad. The snub comes just two months after the striker was forced to withdraw from the Gold Cup camp due to an Achilles injury, raising questions about whether fitness concerns or tactical preferences influenced the decision. With Wright near the top of the Championship Golden Boot race, his exclusion from the national team setup adds an intriguing subplot to his excellent club form.