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Ricardo Pepi Folarin Balogun USMNT 2023Getty/GOAL
Jacob Schneider

Ricardo Pepi or Folarin Balogun? Ex-USMNT star Charlie Davis explains how he'd handle striker dilemma ahead of Copa America and Olympics tournaments with returning Daryl Dike tipped for important role

Ex-USMNT star Charlie Davies has had his say on how Gregg Berhalter should handle the current U.S. striker dilemma.

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  • Pepi should opt to play in Olympics over Copa America
  • Dike and Sargent both tipped for important USMNT roles
  • Balogun still starting striker, Wright in picture too

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Davies claimed that if Pepi opts to go to the Olympics then it would make more sense to see Dike head to Copa America to play second-string to Folarin Balogun. However, he can only play that role if he "continues to score goals," per Davies. Strikers Josh Sargent and Haji Wright are in the mix as well, although the latter has recently found himself moved into a wide position for Coventry City at club level.

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  • Ricardo Pepi USMNT 2023Getty

    WHAT THE CBS CREW SAID

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Dike scored on his return from injury in FA Cup action at the weekend, as West Brom thrashed lower-league side Aldershot Town in the competition. Sargent, meanwhile, recently returned from a six-month injury layoff, netting a goal for Norwich City on January 1. With both strikers returning to action, it will heat up competition ahead of this Spring's Concacaf Nations League semifinals. which are then followed by Copa America and the Olympics in the summer.

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  • Gregg Berhalter believes the USMNT can win the World Cup.Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

    Gregg Berhalter's January roster, which is entirely MLS-based players, will take on Slovenia in an international friendly on January 20. However, it will then be followed by the semifinal match in March against Jamaica. It will be make-or-break in the coming months for the striking core on the cusp of the starting XI, while those returning from injury and looking to make the roster will have to adapt fast if they want to impress the USMNT boss.