Werder Bremen striker Josh Sargent celebrates his maiden international strike with fellow Bundesliga stars Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) and Weston McKennie (Schalke). - © © imago / Icon SMI
Werder Bremen striker Josh Sargent celebrates his maiden international strike with fellow Bundesliga stars Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) and Weston McKennie (Schalke). - © © imago / Icon SMI

Sargent scores on USMNT international debut against Bolivia as Pulisic, McKennie also impress

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Werder Bremen striker Josh Sargent scored on his international debut as a Bundesliga-powered USMNT ran out 3-0 winners against Bolivia on Monday, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie both also featuring.

Borussia Dortmund's Pulisic, Schalke's McKennie and Sargent all started in Chester, Philadelphia, and while the Ruhr district duo impressed in midfield, Sargent stole the show, his 52nd-minute goal doubling the USMNT advantage.

Showing fine understanding of the game and no small amount of skill, Sargent controlled a poor pass from Bolivia substitute goalkeeper Carlos Lampe over his head, before bearing down on goal and slotting home his first international strike from close range – with his parents and a group of childhood friends watching on.

Along with Paris Saint-Germain forward Tim Weah (another goalscorer), Sargent became the first player born this millennium to start a game for the USMNT.

"It's hard to describe," Sargent said after the game. "My job was to put off the defender. I think he made a mistake, and I was lucky enough to turn around real fast and get a good shot off."

- © imago / ZUMA Press

Elsewhere, BVB star Pulisic started behind Sargent, putting in a typically energetic attacking-midfield display, while McKennie caught the eye deeper in midfield, stopping a number of Bolivia breaks in their tracks before initiating forays forward for his side – just as Schalke fans have become accustomed to this term.

Former Bayern Munich attacker Julian Green – currently at second-tier club Greuther Fürth – also made an appearance, replacing Weah after the hour mark and slotting into the No10 role.

The USA failed to qualify for this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia after a bizarre set of final-day circumstances, but interim coach Dave Sarachan has used the succession of resultant friendlies to blood young players.

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