‘Doing my absolute best to try to score for this team’ - Josh Sargent eager to get off career rollercoaster, end U.S. goal drought and shift narrative ahead of World Cup

For those that like to examine the mindset of a striker, a big moment happened last weekend. WIth a goal already to his name and Norwich nursing a 1-0 lead over Blackburn Rovers in stoppage time, Sargent received the ball near the top of the box. He spun, took a few touches and then fired from 20 yards out. Straight into the top of the corner.

The ball was hit with enough power, it's a wonder it didn't go through the net. It was, objectively, not a high-percentage chance - unless you're Sargent, which, apparently, means you're arguably European soccer's most in-form scorer.

Sargent laughs when it's brought up. What was he thinking as it happened? It turns out, nothing. And when a striker's thinking of nothing, those are the good times.

"You're just in a flow state where everything is working out for you," Sargent says. "You're in that perfect balance of not overthinking things and everything is just happening for you. It feels like you just know what to do every time you get the ball. It's very natural. Confidence is a huge thing with that. When you believe in yourself a little more, you just feel like, no matter where you shoot from, you'll score a goal. It's a very good feeling when you have it."

Sargent, by and large, has had it for a while now at Norwich. After struggling to adapt in the Premier Leauge back in 2021-22, he's grown every year in the Championship and now, at age 25, he's among the league's most dangerous players. After scoring 16 in 26 games in an injury-ravaged 2023-24, he hit 15 goals last season, too, despite dealing with injury issues again.

This season, he already has six in five games. The pace is being set, and it's a wild one. Sargent's goal outburst this season has been defined by ruthless efficiency. He's averaging just 28 touches per game, five of which are coming in the opposition box.

Despite that, he's also averaging nearly four shots a game, illustrating just how direct he is when he does get the ball to his feet. There's no deferring or taking a backseat. Sargent is in that flow state, the one that allows him to think that every touch is a chance to score a goal.

"It's massive," he says of his hot start. "More than anything, I think just staying consistent throughout the whole season is big. I've had a good start, but if I stop playing as well now, then it doesn't mean anything, does it? It's a long, grueling season, so I'm just trying to stay consistent. Obviously, having a good start has made me even more confident at that level and in this league, so hopefully I can keep that going.

"It's such a long season, and you'll have patches where you're playing really well. There will then be games where you're playing not so well. I think it's just consistency. Even if I don't score a goal for a couple of games, as long as I'm playing well and doing what I'm supposed to do throughout the match, I'm happy, man. I've gotten used to that ebb and flow."

That said, Sargent knows there's little room for ebbing and flowing with the USMNT. Not with a World Cup on the line.

This wasn't the summer that Sargent wanted. He wanted to spend his offseason travelling across the U.S. with the USMNT, hopefully firing those much-needed goals to impress Pochettino. It didn't happen that way. Sargent was left off the squad - Pochettino called it a "football decision" - leaving him facing reality. Now what?

"As soon as I found out, I was like, 'Oh damn, I didn't make it'," Sargent says. "But I switched straight into trying to think of it as 'I haven't had a summer off in so long, so let's make the most of it.'. It was a chance to escape. I went to see family for a little bit. I went back to St. Louis with my family and really just tried to unwind and relax."

The reason why he was excluded, though, was curious. It highlighted something that Sargent surely already knew: that this was a performance business, and, one year out from a World Cup, his performances hadn't made him undeniable.

“It is a football decision," Pochettino said at the time, "and we wanted to see other forwards so at this time so that is why we decided to not go with Sargent."

The drought, of course, played a part. It dates back to 2019 and has gone on for 15 games but, in truth, it isn't black and white. Sargent, for example, was good at the World Cup, hitting the post against Wales before suffering an injury against Iran. At the Copa America, under Gregg Behalter, he played just 22 minutes, largely backing up Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.

Against Panama, under Pochettino, in the Nations League semifinals this March, he hit the post once and had one called back for offside. All of that is to say that fortune hasn't always been on Sargent's side, even if he has had multiple opportunities to shoot his way out of this unwanted statistic.

Now, heading into September camp, Sargent is back among the forwards with a point to prove. He's joined by two other strikers, Balogun and Damion Downs, who are both eager to show why they can be options at the No. 9 next summer. Big picture, Pepi, Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright and Brian White are among those fighting for spots, too.

It's a crowded race, and it's one that continues to add names to the mix.

"I think you can obviously see that the coaching staff hasn't solidified any positions," Sargent said. "They're looking at everybody, aren't they? It's good. It's good to be back and see all the guys see some new faces as well. And, yeah, I think just, just a good opportunity for everybody to, you know, show themselves and show what they can do."

Pochettino reflected on that when asked about Sargent.

"All of the players that we are going to call, or have called in the past, have the possibility and the chance to show their quality and convince us that they deserve a place in the national team," Pochettino said. "That is the way we have things, the design and the plan. In every aspect and every detail, we work hard. We work in two different aspects: the collective way and the individual way. That is important, and I think we are happy now.

"I think different players have shown that they want to play and want to perform and want to compete for the World Cup. Looking forward to this camp, it's going to be nice to see not only players that have had chances in the past, but also new players that can perform and show us the possibility of fighting for a place."

That fight will be both a physical and mental battle, one that will go on right up until the roster is selected next summer. Sargent says he is prepared for it.

Over the last few years, Sargent has compiled a variety of tattoos. Most, he admits, are somewhat meaningless. Some, though, carry a specific message.

"A lot of them are from when I was younger and just couldn't wait to get a sleeve," he says with a laugh. "I'd probably take back and change a few, but there are a few that mean things: my parents birthdays, my mom's eye. There's a lion, but that's just one I thought was cool. A lot of my newer stuff on my leg is more spiritual. I've gotten into that the last couple of years. It's helped me on the mental side of things."

That's been a focus for Sargent, and not only recently. Yes, that mental side is key, particularly for a player riding the rollercoaster of confidence, Yes, it is likely the big thing that has prevented him from scoring in recent years. But, no, the work on that side of his game and life didn't just begin. He says he's been working with a mental coach in Arizona for years.

"I started as soon as I left Bremen, I think, so my first year with Norwich," he says. "It's been very good. We meet virtually because he's in Scottsdale but it's funny because he has family around Bournemouth, so he can visit once in a while to talk. Most of the time, it's just me calling him no matter the time. It can be the middle of the night, but I can call him if I have something I need to talk about. 

"It's just about having someone that can listen to you and help you. Sometimes, though, you really just need to vent. It's really important, and it's been a huge help for me."

One of the big priorities, particularly in these stressful times, is to just take it all in. It was the message given to Sargent before the World Cup in 2022 and, nearly three years later, it's still the main thing for him. Yes, this life is stressful and yes, there are overwhelming highs and lows. But, when he can, Sargent tries to take a deep breath. The worst thing a player can do is let all of this pass him by.

That's the thought process, even now with the weight on Sargent's shoulders. That's what will allow him to keep this confidence heading into the most important stretch of his career.

For many, it's a sign that they made it. If so, then Sargent's made it. Just last weekend, Norwich fans were again singing a song for Sargent. He's on fire, they were saying, and they love him for it in Norwich. That's why there was an overwhelming sense of elation in the city when Sargent decided to stay this summer despite heavy transfer speculation. The 25-year-old striker is a hero in the city. That's why they sing about him.

"I feel very appreciated at the club," Sargent says. "I feel that with the fans. They aren't crazy. They don't bombard us, and they're definitely nice people. Sometimes, they'll stop me just to say thanks, and that's so nice to hear. The fans have their songs, for sure, and it's a good spot for me to be in. I'm very comfortable and confident and, at the moment, I'm very happy to be there."

He's appreciative to be back with the USMNT, too. These upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan are among the most important of his life and, with Pochettino giving fringe players one last chance to impress before narrowing down the pool, Sargent knows that there's no guarantees going forward.

That could work for or against him. Score some goals and he could be the guy at the World Cup. Fail to do so, and he could end up being among those watching from home. It's such a fine line between success and failure. Walking it will be difficult, but the reward is there for the taking.

"I feel like I remember every single detail of the World Cup," Sargent says, "and it's a very exciting time with the World Cup now being in the U.S. It's a special moment for a lot of guys on this team with us trying to make a World Cup roster. So I just need to do the best I can to make sure I'm in a position where they call me up.

"I understand that I haven't scored here for a bit, and I understand people's frustrations and doubts. But I want them to know that I'm doing my absolute best to try to score for this team and to do the best I can for this team. It does mean a lot for me to represent this team, and it's hard to understand, I think, when you're not going through it yourself, you know? It is what it is. That's how life is."

Life, though, gives second chances. Sometimes third and fourth, too, if you earn them. Sargent knows that this is another opportunity to change the perceptions of his national team career. The USMNT's most in-form player is staring down his most unwanted record. Maybe this will be the moment to finally put it away for good.