USMNT, European review: Lewandowski leads Barca; Pefok, Sargent star

Candidates for the center forward position on the United States men’s national team at the World Cup made it through multiple summer tournaments without putting a stranglehold on the starting spot for November in Qatar

That’s left in-form players to sound very real shouts to take the pitch flanked by Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and/or Brenden Aaronson early this winter.

Weah, perhaps, has been the frontrunner to start up top with free-scoring but basically untested FC Dallas star Jesus Ferreira hot on his heels. Scoring for fun in MLS is one thing, but the USMNT’s brutally weak schedule means most of his finishing production has come against Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, both at home.

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So Jordan Pefok’s hot streak to start life in the Bundesliga (below) has sent waves through the USMNT world and expect similar vibes surrounding current in-form Championship forward Josh Sargent.

Missouri’s favorite ginger, 22, has now scored four goals in his last three Norwich City matches, all wins. The latest was a 76th-minute winner to beat Sunderland this weekend, and his performances will have plenty claiming that Sargent has a very good claim to join Teemu Pukki (Finland) and Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) as Championship strikers at the World Cup.

Bayern Munich’s shows of strength have been impressive this season, even when the Bavarians drop points.

Borussia Monchengladbach entered Saturday’s match in Munich unbeaten and leaves it unbeaten after a 1-1 draw that saw the visitors lead at halftime but get outshot 33-5.

Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer was required to make a Bundesliga record 19 saves to get the point, while USMNT man Joe Scally went 90 minutes at right back,