ARLINGTON, Texas — Haji Wright was the U.S. men's national team's (USMNT) hero on Thursday night, bagging a brace in extra time to help lift the USMNT over Jamaica and avoid a massive upset in Concacaf Nations League.
But, he almost spent this week in Dubai rather than Arlington, Texas.
Wright, who was initially left off the roster, was called in alongside Brenden Aaronson to replace injuries to Luca de la Torre (right quadriceps strain) and Josh Sargent (right ankle irritation). Wright was effectively replacing Sargent in the 23-man roster.
After the semifinal comeback against Jamaica, USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter shared with the media that when he called the Coventry City forward in to relieve Sargent, Wright was actually moments from boarding a plane with his girlfriend and family to go on vacation in Dubai.
Berhalter said he gave Wright a few minutes to talk it over with his family and call back. When Wright called Berhalter back, Berhalter said Wright told him, "I'm in."
"When I heard that, it really shows what type of guy [Wright is], what type of character he is," Berhalter said.
Wright was not in the starting lineup but was subbed in for Tim Weah in the 63rd minute. In scoring his two goals in extra-time, Wright became the first player in USMNT history to score multiple goals as a substitute in a knockout match. Both of Wright's goals were assisted by another USMNT substitution, Nottingham Forest midfielder Gio Reyna.
Narrowly escaping the upset, the USMNT is set to take on its fiercest rival, Mexico, in the Concacaf Nations League Final. El Tri dominated their semifinal match against Panama, grabbing a 3-0 clean sheet.
The United States and Mexico will kick off the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Final from AT&T Stadium on Sunday, March 24 at 8:15 p.m. CST.
More Texas headlines: