In only his second match back since scoring on March U.S. men’s national team duty, Patrick Agyemang has a major worry to deal with.
Agyemang was stretchered off in the first half of Derby County’s EFL Championship clash with Stoke City on Monday. The American forward landed awkwardly after controlling a ball with his chest, before eventually receiving treatment on his left ankle/leg.
Agyemang looked visibly distraught and upset as he left the pitch at Pride Park.
The former Charlotte FC player has excelled in his first season abroad, contributing 10 league goals for John Eustace’s Rams. Despite missing the start of the season due to preplanned surgery, Agyemang has been available for most of the season, featuring in 38 matches to date.
However, his new injury is a major worry for both Eustace and USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino.
“I haven’t seen it back,” Derby boss John Eustace said postmatch. “He’s gone for a scan so we’ll just have to wait and see. Obviously, it’s not good when a player comes off on a stretcher.
We’ll just have to wait and see on what the scan results show.I don’t know [what it is]. I haven’t spoken to him. All I know is that he’s gone for a scan.”
Derby County sits eighth in the league table with five matches to play. The Rams remain well in the hunt for a top-six finish, which would earn them a spot into the promotion playoffs.
As for the USMNT, they will be back on the field in late-May for their final two tuneups against Senegal and Germany before the FIFA World Cup begins. Agyemang recently scored in a 5-2 friendly loss to Belgium while also featuring off the bench against Portugal.
He is one of four forwards fighting to be in Pochettino’s final roster, which will be announced on May 26.