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The US men’s national team has a decent chance to go as far as it has ever gone in the World Cup, but they will have to do without one of their top young stars.
Forward Patrick Agyemang, who has scored six goals in 14 games for the USMNT, ruptured his Achilles on Monday and has been ruled out of the tournament.
Agyemang was carried off on a stretcher while playing for Derby in the English second tier, a division below the Premier League. He was visibly emotional as he was taken off with his right leg strapped.
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Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang holds his head in his hands after sustaining an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at Pride Park in Derby on April 6, 2026. (Mike Egerton/PA Images)
The 25-year-old first represented the Stars and Stripes last year for training camp and friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica, scoring in both competitions. He made the CONCACAF Gold Cup team last summer, where the U.S. lost to Mexico in the final.
Agyemang recently suited up for the United States last week against Belgium and Portugal, scoring against the former on March 28.
Team USA, one of three host nations, withdrew a favorable group in December as Paraguay, Australia and one of the four teams in UEFA Path C, which includes Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania, stand in the way ahead of the knockout stage. The USA is the highest ranked team in the group.
Patrick Agyemang of Derby County goes down during the Sky Bet Championship match against Stoke City at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, Britain on April 6, 2026. (Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto)
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The USMNT has not had much success in the World Cup. The team reached the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2014, but failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018. It returned to the Round of 16 four years ago, but failed to advance out of the Copa América group stage at home last year.
After finishing third in the first World Cup in 1930, the furthest they have reached since then is the quarter-finals in 2002.
Eleven of the 16 host stadiums are in the United States, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Patrick Agyemang of Derby County is carried off after sustaining an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match against Stoke City at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, Britain on April 6, 2026. (Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto)
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The USA will open the tournament on June 12 Los Angeles against Paraguay on FOX.
