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USMNT's Josh Sargent plays key role as Werder Bremen survive Bundesliga playoff

Josh Sargent - Werder Bremen - vs Heidenheim

Werder Bremen will remain in Germany's Bundesliga for the 2020-2021 season, and US men's national team striker Josh Sargent is one of the reasons why.


The 20-year-old got the start in the second leg of Bremen's relegation playoff with Heidenheim, the third-place finisher from the 2. Bundesliga, and got the last Bremen touch on a rather stunning own goal to give his side a 1-0 lead in the third minute.

The match ultimately finished 2-2, keeping Bremen in the first division by the slimmest of margins — away goals — after the two sides played to a scoreless first leg. Bremen had finished 16th in the Bundesliga table, one spot above the two automatic relegation places.


Sargent nearly had a goal to call his own 14 minutes into the second half. He put in 88 minutes total before manager Florian Kohfeldt opted for a defensive substitution to try and protect a 1-1 scoreline.

Bremen then went back in front in second-half stoppage time through Ludwig Augustinsson before Tim Kleindienst converted from the penalty spot with the final kick of the match, capping a brace on the night.


Sargent finishes his second German season with four goals in three assists in all competitions. He made 34 appearances, including 18 starts.