USMNT's Josh Sargent scores brace for Norwich in first start after return from long-term injury in pummeling of Swansea

U.S. international Josh Sargent scored two goals Saturday as Norwich City defeated Swansea City 5-1 in a thrashing in the English Championship.

The American forward opened the scoring on the brink of halftime in the 44th minute, and added a second in the 63rd minute, responding well after Swansea had drawn level in the 62nd. It was his first start for the Canaries since Oct. 27, after he was ruled out for two-plus months due to injury shortly thereafter. He returned to the pitch on Jan. 11 in an FA Cup clash against Premier League side Brighton, and followed it with two more Championship appearances over the last week, before being handed the nod from the start on Saturday.

Following his second goal, he was removed from the match, and the Canaries bagged three more strikes to close things out, securing all three points for just their second victory of the calendar year across all competitions.

Sargent was one of the Championship's top performers in the 2023-24 campaign, and began this season in fine form before succumbing to injury. He's now scored six goals and recorded five assists in 15 matches this season, averaging .73 goal contributions per Championship match this season.

Internationally, Sargent started two matches for the USMNT in October in Mauricio Pochettino's first games in charge of the program, but he missed the November camp in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.

If he can stay fit and continue scoring for Norwich, his odds of being a part of the Argentine's March camp in the Nations League semifinals go up.

Norwich reportedly turned down an offer of $20M for Sargent's services over the summer from an MLS side. Eastern Conference heavyweights FC Cincinnati were reportedly the team interested.

The Canaries return to action next weekend against Watford as they look to secure their second win in as many matches in Championship action. They currently sit on 39 points, three points out of a promotion playoff spot in ninth place, while eight of the name teams ahead of them have a game in-hand, too.