When Ricardo Pepi starts for PSV, he scores. The 21-year-old has netted in each of the last three games he has started for the Dutch side with his latest strike coming in the Eredivisie win over NAC Breda. Mauricio Pochettino surely watched Pepi’s performance ahead of the US men’s national team’s upcoming fixtures.
Pepi was named to the USMNT roster for the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica with the 21-year-old and Brandon Vazquez the only two out-and-out centre forwards available. With Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent both currently injured, this could be the opportunity Pepi has been waiting for.
Sargent started both of Pochettino’s first two matches as USMNT head coach, but failed to make much of an impression. Against Panama, the Norwich City striker showed flashes of his ability, but was largely anonymous in the defeat to Mexico. Pepi, however, came off the bench against Panama to score in stoppage time and underline his finishing instincts.
Under Gregg Berhalter, Balogun was seen as the first-choice centre forward. Even when the Monaco striker struggled for consistent form, Berhalter stood by him in the belief that he had the potential to elevate the overall standard of the USMNT’s forward line. It might still be the case that Balogun has the highest ceiling of any player in the centre forward pool.
However, Pepi’s past performances at international level have suggested he might be the best fit for the USMNT, particularly against fellow CONCACAF rivals. The USA will likely have the majority share of possession in both games against Jamaica and Pepi is the sort of striker who could provide the penalty box presence to make the most of that power balance.
Pochettino is still working out what he has within his squad after taking over as USMNT head coach last month. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss is well aware of the lack of time before the 2026 World Cup on home soil and so this month is another valuable opportunity for players to make an impact.
“We selected 25 players on the roster, tried to find the best balance, thinking not only to perform today, but to be sincere, in 2026, which is the main objective,” Pochettino said ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals matches against Jamaica. “We are not going to have too many camps to see players.”
Almost every area of the USMNT is still to settle before the 2026 World Cup. There are questions over the centre back pairing Pochettino will build on top of with the central midfield also very fluid at this moment in time. There could also be an open spot on the right side of the front three with Tim Weah, Brendan Aaronson and Malik Tillman all options.
The centre forward pool is another area that is currently uncertain, but a goal or two by Pepi against Jamaica would go a long way to making him Pochettino’s favoured frontman. The PSV striker must make the most of this window with two of his biggest rivals for his position unable to take part.
It might the case that Pepi needs to leave PSV to take the next step in his career. While the Eredivisie club has been good for his development, Peter Bosz continues to favour Luuk de Jong as his first-choice number nine despite Pepi’s record of finding the back of the net whenever he is given the opportunity.
At 21, Pepi is still in the development phase of his career. He challenged himself by making the move to Europe from FC Dallas so early and there have been bumps along the road for him. Now, though, there is a growing sense that Pepi is at another career crossroads. There are few strikers in his age group who have the fundamental quality of the USMNT international.
No matter what happens in the two matches against Jamaica, nothing will be decided for the USMNT as Pochettino prepares for the 2026 World Cup. These games won’t be the only opportunity for players to make their mark and nail down a starting spot, but Pepi is someone who will have more eyes on him than most.
