EFL Championship Americans to Watch: Key USMNT talents like Josh Sargent and Haji Wright given big roles

This weekend the championship kicks off as the journey to the richest game in sports begins and you can experience the action Biggest+CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network all season long.

As pre-season preparations continue, it’s a good time to catch up with the bakery’s dozens of Americans scattered throughout the league. Some, like Brenden Aaronson, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright, will be crucial to their team’s performance this season, while others still have some work to do to get into the starting lineup.

Here are the Americans to watch in the electric league and the weekend schedule for CBS Sports’ coverage of the Championship, League One and League Two:

Opening EFL schedule

Friday August 9
Blackburn vs. Derby County, 3pm Biggest+ And CBS Sports Network
Preston North End vs. Sheffield United, 3pm Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network

Saturday August 10
Oxford United vs. Norwich City, 7.30am Biggest+
Leeds United vs. Portsmouth, 7.30am Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network
Middlesbrough vs Swansea City, 7.30 Biggest+
Cardiff City vs. Sunderland, 7.30am Biggest+
Queens Park Rangers vs. West Brom, 7.30am Biggest+ And CBS Sports Network
Milton Keynes Dons vs Bradford City, 10am Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network
Birmingham City vs. Reading, 12:30 p.m Biggest+
Wrexham vs. Wycombe Wanderers, 12.30pm Biggest+ And CBS Sports Network

Sunday August 11
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Plymouth Argyle, 11am Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network

Monday August 12
Luton Town vs. Burnley, 3pm Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network

MIDDLE Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)

Seasonal outlook: Back at Leeds United after a loan to Union Berlin, Brenden Aaronson is given the opportunity to lead the team back to the Premier League. Leeds came close last season but ultimately fell short after losing Southampton. Of Archie Gray And Crysencio Summerville Now that the club is gone, there is a big creative void to be filled.

What you can be excited about: Aaronson is someone who needs consistency around him at this stage of his career. He started well for Leeds in the Premier League, but moved on Germany had highs and lows. Ending the season by helping Union Berlin stay at the top is a positive and if Aaronson can lead Leeds back to the Premier League it will be a big step for his career.

DEF Reggie Cannon (QPR)

Seasonal outlook: Playing for QPR is difficult because although this team has history in the Premier League, the best scenario for the Hoops is to make the play-offs in the Championship. For a defender, this means putting in quite a bit of work in a tough competition like the Championship, but that could be beneficial for Cannon’s USMNT prospects.

What you can be excited about: After the problems of getting paid on time PortugalCannon enters a season with a team that has had a full preseason and has a lot of positivity. That level of safety, in a functioning club, must be taken into account. With a backup as a hole in the USMNT lineup, Cannon could find himself in an upcoming national team camp.

Come on Daryl Dyke (West Brom)

Seasonal outlook: Like most seasons, the Baggies are pushing for promotion to the Premier League. They have expanded Carlos Corberan’s squad, but so far most transfers have been free transfers and loans. That doesn’t mean these players can’t help, but it shows that when West Brom have disappeared from the top flight since 2018, they will need a strong promotion to justify splashing out bigger moves.

What you can be excited about: If Daryl Dike can stay healthy, he could be the man for the Baggies. Despite making just fourteen starts in the 2022/2023 season as he continued to struggle with injuries, he managed to score seven goals and provide another assist, his second best result in his four seasons in the Championship. This is despite never reaching 1,500 minutes played in a season during his professional career. Staying healthy may be easier said than done, but when he’s on the field, Dike knows where the back of the net is.

MIDDLE Lynden Gooch (Stoke city)

Seasonal outlook: Stoke City are another team that, despite having Premier League pedigree, making the play-offs would be considered a major success. There are some exciting players in the squad, such as midfielder Wouter Burger, but Lynden Gooch’s performance will play quite a role in Stoke’s fortunes.

What you can be excited about: Versatility is the name of the game. Gooch can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or wide defender and is a coach’s dream because of where he can line up. Someone who will always field a squad, while Gooch may not have a future with the USMNT, that doesn’t mean he can’t help push this team into a playoff spot.

MID Duane Holmes (Preston North End)

Seasonal outlook: Preston are a side in the race for relegation from the Championship, so they will need everything they can get from experienced players like Duane Holmes.

What you can be excited about: There isn’t much to be excited about given the prospects for the team, but Holmes has experience in tough situations in the EFL. His experience will be a big boost for Preston and the American will be leaned on in the selection.

Come on Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough)

Seasonal outlook: Chasing promotion, Middlesbrough must find a way into the automatic promotion places as they cannot win the final at Wembley Stadium. With a strong squad they can compete with the best in the Championship, but defense has been an issue with Boro conceding too many goals.

What you can be excited about: Matthew Hoppe has been bouncing from club to club lately and he will be a backup for that Emmanuel Latte LathThere are so many games to play in the Championship that he will get minutes to get back on track. Hoppe is someone who has to prove that he belongs at this level Michael Carrick will give him a chance to show that.

MID Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)

Seasonal outlook: To help Boro’s defensive problems, improvements in midfield will go a long way. Aidan Morris joining Haden Hackney could give Middlesbrough a strong foundation to build on.

What you can be excited about: It doesn’t get much better for a young midfielder than to learn from a legend in his position like Carrick, and that’s something to be excited about. Morris has been committed to taking on every challenge in his career so far, but the move to England will be one of the toughest he has faced yet. Being able to respond to this will be quite something for the 22-year-old.

GK Ethan Horvath (Cardiff city)

Seasonal outlook: Cardiff City enter the summer without a transfer embargo and recharge to secure a place in the play-offs. With additions like Chris Willock and Callum Chambers, big things are expected from the Bluebirds and they will have an American in net to protect the defense.

What you can be excited about: Ethan Horvath is a solid goalkeeper who can help lead a team to promotion with his performances. Horvath has already helped Luton Town through to the play-offs and has invaluable experience that will be great at Cardiff City.

FWD Luca Koleosho (Burnley)

Seasonal outlook: Back in the Championship after Premier League relegation, Burnley is now under new management. Vincent Kompany is no longer there Bayern Munich and former Fulham manager Scott Parker is now in charge. This is a team that has enough talent to return to the Premier League.

What you can be excited about: Luca Koleosho may not have defined his international future, but he is someone who could make a breakthrough if he doesn’t end up in one of the many countries he has the privilege of representing. Koelosho can play for the United States, Canada, Nigeria and Italy, so he will have no shortage of options if he can perform and lead Burnley back to the Premier League.

ST Josh Sargent (Norwich city)

Seasonal outlook: David Wagner has been replaced by Johannes Thorup, but the target remains the same as they aim for promotion to the Premier League after failing to progress in the play-offs last season. Now in their third successive season in the Championship, the Canaries don’t want to spend much more time in the second division, but to win promotion they need another strong season from Josh Sargent.

What you can be excited about: After scoring 16 goals last season, Sargent is a player in contention for the Championship Golden Boot. With renewed confidence as the man in charge for Norwich, Sargent is ready for another big season.

DEF Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich city)

Seasonal outlook: Defense was the biggest problem for Norwich as they conceded 64 goals last season. Under Thorup that is something that needs to be resolved quickly and Jonathan Tomkinson could be part of the solution.

What you can be excited about: Back from an impressive loan spell at Bradford City, Tomkinson has been given the opportunity to stay with the team this season. If he impresses, there’s no reason why he can’t find himself in the starting line-up and help the Canaries to promotion.

DEF Auston reliable (Sheffield United)

Seasonal outlook: Last season was one to forget, as Sheffield United conceded a record 104 goals in the Premier League. Back in the Championship, this is a team used to working their way back into the Premier League and goals conceded won’t be as much of an issue in the lower division.

What you can be excited about: Despite the defense being poor, the Premier League minutes were important for Auston Trusty as he looked like a competent defender at times. With another season and more reinforcements alongside him, the Blades can secure a return to the Premier League with his help.

FWD Haji Wright (Coventry City)

Seasonal outlook: While the FA Cup semi-final appearance against Manchester United is a moment to remember, missing the Championship play-offs will have left a sour taste in their mouths. Coventry have a strong team that can put the ball in the back of the net, but they also haven’t played in the Premier League since the 2000-01 season.

What you can be excited about: Like Sargent, Haji Wright will be one of the key players in his team’s quest for promotion. Alongside Elias Simms, Wright will be part of a formidable attack, but he will also spend a second season at a club. Wright has played for three different clubs since 2020, but in the Championship he is growing and becoming a reliable striker, which will also keep him in the USMNT picture.