USA national team manager Gregg Berhalter hoped Haji Wright could help the USA in the Round of 16 match against the Netherlands, as his side faced a 2-0 deficit in the second half.
Wright entered the match for Tim Weah, who had moved into a central position to start the second half after playing wide right in the first half.
During the group stage, Wright played all three matches, starting against England in their 0-0 draw. He came off the bench against Wales and Iran but hadn't scored a goal in the tournament before his effort to reduce the USA arrears to 2-1 against the Netherlands.
It wasn't enough in the end as the USMNT lost 3-1 and were eliminated from the World Cup.
Who is Haji Wright and how did he earn such trust from Berhalter? Sporting News gets you up to speed with the pacy striker.
MORE: USA 1-3 Netherlands: USMNT dumped out of World Cup in round of 16
Who is US soccer's Haji Wright?
Towering over his teammates at 6ft 3ins, Wright is a fast-moving striker who has enjoyed a breakout year.
The California-born 24-year-old is second in the Turkish Super Lig's top-scorer race behind Ecuadorian star Enner Valencia, notching nine goals in 12 games this season.
He was a surprise entry to the USMNT's final 26-man squad, having only made his debut on the international stage in June.
5 - Haji Wright is the first #USMNT player to start at the World Cup in one of his first five caps since David Regis in 1998. Trust. pic.twitter.com/6g0giMKdkF
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) November 25, 2022
This XI tells me the coaching staff decided Haji Wright is the paciest option up top, the one best-suited for pressing center backs, chasing lost causes, dining on scraps, etc.
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) November 25, 2022
Is he? I don't know, but so striking that this is a guy who was expecting to miss the cut 3 weeks ago
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
Haji Wright USA soccer career
Touted as one of the USA's brightest teenage prospects, Wright hasn't found it easy to settle in Europe.
The striker came through LA Galaxy's youth academy and was unstoppable for his country's under-17 side, scoring 18 goals in 22 games in 2014.
He soon caught the eye in Europe and crossed the Atlantic to join Schalke 04's development system. That was back in 2017 and it's taken Wright until 2022 to truly find his feet, having spent four years floating around northern Europe.
For those who saw Wright's boundless potential at youth level, the fact he waited to make his USMNT debut aged 24 will have been a surprise.
𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: For @HajiWright, a FaceTime from Gregg Berhalter was the culmination of the work put in to realize a dream. pic.twitter.com/XRnbmo9Bc8
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 19, 2022
MORE: Who is Gregg Berhalter, USMNT coach at 2022 World Cup?
Haji Wright clubs
Wright has played for five clubs in five years since leaving North America, as he struggled to find a home that could unlock his talent.
The striker finally found success with Sonderjyske in the Danish league, and was quickly picked up by Turkish club Antalyaspor on-loan. An impressive 2021-22 there earned a permanent three-year deal, and it's only been up from there for Wright.
