Haji Wright’s USMNT World Cup journey began with the zombie Cosmos: ‘My feet are burning’

Story by

Story by
Haji Wright’s USMNT World Cup journey began with the zombie Cosmos: ‘My feet are burning’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows United States' Haji Wright (19) runs with the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia, Image 2 shows NY Cosmos player Haji Wright (23) goes up against Cuban Defenders during the Soccer, 2015 International Friendly Match, NY Cosmos vs Cuba National Team in Havana, Cuba on June 2, 2015 at the Estadio Nacional De Futbol Pedro Marrero Stadium, Havana Cuba

Collin Ward · NY Post Sports

Mon, Jul 6, 2026 ·

4 min read

About Our Ads

Haji Wright 's path to the World Cup made a memorable start on Long Island.

Wright, the United States forward who had been discussed in recent days as a potential fill-in for Folarin Balogun before Balogun's red-card suspension was nullified , was a rising 17-year-old talent when he joined the New York Cosmos in 2015.

The club made famous by Pele in the 1970s glory days of the North American Soccer League was briefly revived during the NASL's second act in the 2010s, based at Hofstra's facilities in Uniondale.

The Los Angeles native came across the country to play and train with legendary players such as Spanish forward Raúl and Spain midfielder Marcos Senna.

Haji Wright plays for the New York Cosmos in a friendly against the Cuban national team in Havana in 2015. Corbis via Getty Images

Alecko Eskandarian , a former USMNT player who was an assistant coach with the Cosmos at the time, recalled how Wright struggled at first with being a pro.

During a summer game with the Cosmos B-team playing in soaring temperatures, Eskandarian noticed Wright fidgeting with his cleats.

"I'm like, 'Haji, you good, like, what's going on? Do you have an injury?' Eskandarian remembered. "And he was like, 'Nah, the turf is hot, my feet are burning.' I came over, I took a bottle of water, and I squirted it on his feet. … And he played for like 10 more minutes, scored a goal, and then he was like, 'Coach, I think you gotta sub me out.'

"…The guys in the locker room gave him so much crap to be out of the game because your feet were burning, I think for him, at the time, as a 17-year-old, he's like, 'Yeah, like my feet were burning, I don't know what else I was supposed to do."

Despite the growing pains, Wright's "god-given talent" always showed.

"You look at a player with his size, speed, mobility, first touch, and you're like, 'Wow, the sky is the limit for him,'" Eskandarian told The Post.

Wright's talents were quickly noticed by European clubs, resulting in his move to Schalke in Germany 's Bundesliga in 2017.

Wright, now 28, since then has played everywhere from the German second division to England 's second-division Championship, and is set to play in the Premier League next season after leading Coventry City to a promotion with a 17-goal campaign in 2025-26.

Haji Wright dribbles the ball during the United States' World Cup win over Australia on June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

His time with the USMNT has been filled with similar ups and downs. He scored the lone goal for the United States in their Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup, but also has been in and out of the squad through the years.

This experience, though, has made resilience "the name of his game" and the reason Eskandarian thinks Wright will thrive under the lights of a home World Cup knockout game given the chance.

"He's had to answer a lot of questions throughout his career," said Nick Taitague, Wright's former Schalke teammate. "I think there's a big opportunity for him to turn that into fuel."

Even with Balogun cleared to play against Belgium and Ricardo Pepi seemingly No. 2 on the depth chart at the position, Wright potentially offers a new dynamic to the United States' front line.

Haji Wright with U.S. teammates at training in Seattle on July 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Compared to Balogun, Wright is a little more of a traditional target man, Eskadarian said, who can "get in the box and can finish from anywhere."

At 6-foot-4, Wright's size allows him to be better at hold-up play, something that could come in handy against a talented and experienced Belgian side.

Both Eskandarian and Taitague also think the striker's mentality will be a key factor should he see game time in this tournament.

"Over 90 minutes, he has the same demeanor and focus," Eskadarian said, no matter the situation.

A knack for cool that started with a pair of hot feet on Long Island.

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: