1. Folarin Balogun Monaco Balogun has been at the top of this list by default due to the lack of a threat from players behind him but if he doesn’t improve upon a season where he scored eight goals and assisted five more for Monaco, playing time could become a concern. Only logging 63 minutes during their first two games of the season and with pressure coming from players behind him, this could become an actual battle for the nine.

2. Josh Sargent Norwich City Goals goals and more goals. The former narrative around Sargent was that he’d be a world beater if only he added goals to his game. Following up a 16-goal season with two so far on the young championship season, the 24-year-old is doing just that. There isn’t much more that Sargent can do except keep scoring to get some speculative starts at the nine for the USMNT, but he’s doing what he can.

3. Haji Wright Coventry City I’m not sure if we’re still allowed to call Wright a “striker” these days but he’s a forward who is scoring goals and can play as a nine. For Coventry City, Wright’s goals and assists are critical as like Sargent, he’s doing everything possible to beat in the door of the USMNT.

4. Brandon Vazquez Monterrey Finally back in the starting XI and scoring for Monterrey, Vazquez now has 11 goals in all competitions since joining without actually getting a serious run as a starter. If he can continue to score in limited minutes, it’s only a matter of a time until he shoots up these rankings.

5. Ricardo Pepi PSV Like Vazquez, playing time is the concern for Pepi being behind Luuk De Jong. Pepi only had one appearance this season entering the weekend but has done well in limited minutes, coming off the bench on Saturday to score in the 7-1 win over Almere.

6. Brian White Vancouver Whitecaps The drop off between five and six on this list is quite stark but White does a job and has 12 goals this season. He brings something different with his ability in the air which could help in competitions like Gold Cup.

7. Jesus Ferreira FC Dallas This is quite a fall for Ferreira but he has also only featured in 13 league matches this season scoring four goals and assisting two more. Only 23, he’ll be back climbing up the ranks.

8. Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders Morris has moved to the nine for the Sounders with great effect. Able to use his speed to play on the back shoulder of a defense and make things happen, Morris may work himself back for counter attacking.

9. Duncan McGuire Orlando City SC While McGuire went to the Olympics, he doesn’t feel as close to cracking the senior team as some of the other Olympians. It’s a shame the move to Blackburn Rovers collapsed because growth in the championship would’ve been good for him.

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