Haji on a Tear

Wright's Sheffield Wednesday Strike Powers Coventry's Championship Surge

Haji Wright continued his impressive scoring run with a goal in Coventry City's commanding 5-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, helping the Sky Blues reach the Championship summit.

The 27-year-old American striker netted his side's third goal in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on Bobby Thomas's aerial dominance to tap home from close range. However, he may have gotten away with one as he appeared offside on the replay. The finish marked Wright's eighth league goal of the campaign and his ninth across all competitions this season, extending his remarkable scoring streak to seven goals in his last nine appearances.

Wright's goal came during a dominant first-half performance where Coventry dismantled their hosts. Brandon Thomas-Asante had already put City ahead with an early strike in the third minute before doubling the advantage in the 33rd minute. Wright's clinical finish ensured Lampard's men went into the break with a commanding three-goal cushion, with Ellis Simms and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto adding further goals after the interval.

The timing of Wright's purple patch couldn't be better for both club and country. His stellar form earned him a call-up to Mauricio Pochettino's United States squad for October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, joining fellow strikers Patrick Agyemang and Folarin Balogun in the battle for the starting role ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Wright's return to international duty represents a comeback of sorts, having last featured for the USMNT in June during a 5-0 Gold Cup victory over Trinidad and Tobago, where he found the net. An Achilles injury subsequently ruled him out of the remainder of that tournament.

With 40 goals for Coventry since his club-record £7.7 million arrival in 2023, Wright's current form suggests he's ready to translate his Championship success onto the international stage, potentially solving America's striker question just in time for their World Cup preparations.