USMNT's Patrick Agyemang exits Derby match with apparent Achilles issue, World Cup bid in doubt
USMNT's Patrick Agyemang exits Derby match with apparent Achilles issue, World Cup bid in doubt
Steven GoffMon, April 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM UTC
0
Derby County's Patrick Agyemang holds his head in his hands after picking up an injury during the Sky Bet Championship match at Pride Park, Derby on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Mike Egerton - PA Images via Getty Images)
Patrick Agyemang, the U.S. striker enjoying an excellent debut season in England after a career breakout in Major League Soccer, was removed from Derby County’s match on a stretcher Monday after landing awkwardly late in the first half.
A contender for a World Cup roster slot, the 25-year-old was playing in his second match since returning from international duty when he suffered what is feared to be an Achilles’ tendon injury.
“He’s gone off for a scan,” Derby Coach John Eustace said after the 2-0 victory over Stoke City in the second-flight English Championship. “We’ll wait and see the results of that. Hopefully it’s not as bad as what it might be.”
Derby County was expected to provide an update after its home match against Stoke City in the second-flight English Championship.
The Derby Telegraph’s Leigh Curtis wrote: “Was a totally innocuous incident. He went to control a ball with his chest but landed funny. Appeared to be his left ankle and I wonder if it's his Achilles. Will get more of an update after the game obviously, but that is a crushing blow for the player and Derby especially with the World Cup around the corner.”
Advertisement
Agyemang began the day tied for the club lead in goals with 10. In a little more than a year with the U.S. national team, he has scored six goals in 14 appearances, including a late finish against Belgium on March 28 in Atlanta.
Agyemang, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright have been the prime candidates to back up first-choice striker Folarin Balogun on the World Cup squad, which will be announced May 26. Coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to select at least three strikers overall.
Agyemang took an uncommon path to World Cup contention. The son of Ghanaian immigrants who grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, the 6-foot-4 forward played Division III soccer at Eastern Connecticut State before starring at Division I Rhode Island.
The 12th overall pick by Charlotte FC in the 2023 MLS Draft, he developed in the lower-tier MLS Next Pro before recording 10 goals and five assists in MLS in 2024. Midway through last year’s campaign, Charlotte transferred him to Derby County, where he has started almost every match since recovering from a hernia injury in late September.
Agyemang made his international debut in January 2025 and scored twice in the Concacaf Gold Cup last summer.
Source: “AOL Sports”
