‘Form is fallacy’ - Alexi Lalas tempers expectations for Haji Wright’s USMNT call-up from Championship side Coventry after Josh Sargent’s struggles

The FOX Sports analyst pointed to Josh Sargent as an example. Sargent started the season strongly with Norwich, being named the Championship's Player of the Month in August, but that form didn't translate to the national team as he struggled in his start against South Korea in September.

“We saw what happened with Josh Sargent," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. "Now, Josh Sargent's on the outs when it comes to the national team, and he's struggling when it comes to the Championship with where Norwich is. So that's not a good thing for club or country when it comes to Josh Sargent. 

"I’ve said for years and years, form is fallacy. It often is. Not always, but for the most part, it is."

Yet, with the U.S. looking for a backup striker to Folarin Balogun as Ricardo Pepi is dealing with injury issues, the former U.S. defender believes Wright will get a fair shot to prove his value.

"He will continue to at least get a look," Lalas said. "This is a wonderful vein of form that he's in."

Lalas expects Pochettino to keep looking to England’s second division for striker options, given the lack of depth elsewhere. He pointed to Derby Country's Patrick Agyemang as another example.

“It is still soccer that is being played in Europe. And therefore, that glaze can form over people's eyes and distort the actual quality of the player. But you know what, beggars can't be choosers here," Lalas said.

While several American forwards - including Wright, Sargent,  Pepi, and Balogun - have impressed at club level, none has firmly claimed their national team role. Balogun showed promise at the Copa América and again against Japan in September, while Pepi has flashed when healthy, scoring 13 goals in 33 caps.

Agyemang has five goals in 12 appearances. Meanwhile, Wright and Sargent have combined for 10 goals in 46 appearances.

As the USMNT prepare for their October fixtures against Ecuador and Australia, manager Mauricio Pochettino will have another opportunity to evaluate Balogun, Wright, and Agyemang in those two matches.