Soccer players aren’t always natural fits when it comes to USA sports stars entering the Halls of Fame.
But one man making a name for himself on both sides of the Atlantic and a potential future Hall of Famer is Haji Wright. The in-form striker booked his Coventry City side a place at Wembley in the semi-final of the FA Cup with an injury-time winner against Premier League Wolves, and he has also starred for the USMNT in the recent CONCACAF Nations Cup.
Chance to impress
Wright has taken a surprisingly unconventional route throughout his career. And if he puts on another five-star performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, it could lead to a big-money transfer to the English Premier League. Sadly for Wright and his Coventry City side, they are not expected to go any further in the FA Cup. In the latest betting, Manchester City are -163 to lift the trophy. Manchester United are second at +225, Chelsea are +600, and Coventry are +2800. In the sports betting to win the match with United, Coventry is +475, and United is -225.
The bookmakers are saying this is as far as Wright’s Coventry City will go.
Natural progression
Haji Wright’s season at Coventry City won’t have gone unnoticed.
Also known as the Sky Blues, Coventry ply their trade in the English Championship, the second tier of English soccer behind the Premier League. In the 2022/23 season, the Sky Blues made it to the playoff final and were within a couple of penalty kicks of reaching the Premier League.
The spearhead of the team was Swedish international forward Viktor Gyökeres. After the playoff final, Gyökeres made it clear he wanted to leave. He was too good for second-tier soccer, and everybody connected with Coventry City, and the player knew this.
The Premier League clubs balked at the £20 million price tag Coventry City placed on his head. Eventually, Sporting Lisbon paid the fee, and Gyökeres went to Portugal. The Swede has been ripping it up on the continent and is now one of the hottest properties in Europe, with Premier League clubs now rumored to be willing to pay £85 million to meet his release clause price.
Playing at Coventry won’t hinder Wright’s chances of a big-money move. And after the exploits of Gyökeres, the Premier League clubs might be more willing to pay the asking price.
Worldwide shop window
England’s FA Cup is one of the most watched and famous soccer competitions around the world. Okay, Wright isn’t in the final. But when he lines up for Coventry City in the semi-final, he will be taking on Manchester United.
The eyes of the soccer world will be on the match. And Wright has a great chance to showcase his talents and gain the attention of some of Europe’s bigger clubs.
Unconventional route
Wright has never played in the MLS. As a youngster, he was on the books of the LA Galaxy but left to play for the New York Cosmos, where he represented the team three times.
He left the USA and worked his way to Coventry City via FC Schalke 04, SV Sandhausen, VVV-Venlo, Sønderjyske Fodbold, and Antalyaspor. With the money and improved prestige of the MLS, the LA native might end up playing in the US.
But for now, he is doing just fine in England.
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