Morgan Rogers gave notice that he is ready to fight for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI at the World Cup with a goal in England’s friendly victory over Sporting Kansas City.
Ivan Toney grabbed a hat-trick and Ollie Watkins was also on the scoresheet, as England ran out comfortable 5-1 winners against the Major League Soccer Club on Thursday.
England flew straight back to their World Cup base in Kansas after the Group L success against Croatia in Dallas and some of those who came off the bench or did not get any minutes were involved in a friendly with Sporting Kansas City.
Rogers missed out on a start against Croatia to Jude Bellingham, who scored England’s third goal in their 4-2 win, but impressed as a substitute after being thrown on with 18 minutes to go.
Despite his appearance from the bench against Croatia, Rogers played in the game against Sporting KC, in a ‘scrimmage’ game of two halves of 25 minutes. Rogers scored a goal to underline that he is ready to battle for a place among Tuchel’s starters.
Toney netted his second behind-closed-doors treble, having also scored a hat-trick against Miami United before England arrived in Kansas for the start of the World Cup. Watkins was also on target.
Bellingham may have ended the debate over whether or not he should start as England’s number 10 during the tournament, but Rogers can also play off either wing.
Tuchel knows that he will need the majority of his 26-man squad at the World Cup in the United States and wants all of his players to remain physically and mentally sharp.
Marc Guehi, who got off the bench against Croatia, Eberechi Eze and Dan Burn all got minutes against Sporting KC. Djed Spence, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Jarell Quansah and goalkeeper Dean Henderson were among those involved.
Bellingham and England captain Harry Kane, who scored twice against Croatia, did not play in the game, but posed for photographs alongside Sporting KC players.
Asked ahead of the Croatia game about the decision to play a friendly against Sporting KC between the World Cup matches, Tuchel said: “We have many days before the next match and we can give the players not playing loads, extra match load and not only load from training. We did this after Costa Rica and will do this one last time after Croatia.”
After the game against Sporting KC, England players were given time off with their families who were allowed into the team camp for a mid-tournament visit.
While players can see their loved ones in stadiums straight after games, Tuchel is also allowing family and friends to visit England’s team hotel at pre-agreed points in the World Cup. One of those was on Thursday afternoon after the England game because of the gap before next Tuesday’s Ghana game.
Members of the England squad spent Thursday night at the baseball, watching the Kansas City Royals against the St Louis Cardinals at the Kauffman Stadium, where Tuchel was given the honour of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has replaced Tino Livramento in the squad, met up with the rest of Tuchel’s players in Kansas on Thursday and will now be part of preparations for next Tuesday’s game against Ghana in Boston.