The upward push of teenager sensation Ricardo Pepi keeps unabated, and after breaking into the U.S. Men's national group and the Bundesliga, the FIFA World Cup may not be too some distance at the back of.
After breaking out in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas (13 dreams in 31 fits in 2021), Pepi fantastically emerged as the brand new intention scorer — a true No. Nine — U.S. Men's countrywide crew lovers had been looking forward to. Since rising as a World Cup qualifying hero in his USMNT debut, the 18-yr-old has performed in each senior U.S. Match as the American group inches toward a Qatar 2022 berth.
That worldwide level has validated a buying window, touchdown Pepi the second maximum transfer charge ever for a USMNT participant: $20 million from the German Bundesliga's Augsburg, a club so one can be hoping that Pepi turns hero once more in the combat towards relegation.
Ricardo Pepi joins FC Augsburg from FC Dallas of MLS. The forward has signed a agreement to June 2026 with an alternative for an extra year. Percent.Twitter.Com/iwcBNCDAYt
What made Pepi a $20 million player? He's proven off natural scoring instincts, a excessive football IQ and a unique mixture of physical and technical qualities that make him one of the maximum interesting young prospects inside the American game. His quality first contact, an elite aerial recreation, a excessive work price, and the 6-foot-1 size and strength to warfare defenders and keep up the ball for teammates has already drawn comparisons to the likes of celebrity strikers Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland.
His whole skillset changed into on display in his USMNT debut, a four-1 win against Honduras on Sept. 8, during which Pepi contributed to all 4 desires. He scored one, assisted some other and had a hand in growing the opposite two. The youngster genuinely did not appear like a player incomes his first cap. Far from it.
Then he got here lower back and did it again in opposition to Jamaica on Oct. 7 with professional moves in a 2-zero win: A nicely-taken header and an smooth end from the center of the box.
“He did a terrific activity. Worked tirelessly, competed in opposition to bodily center backs, scored a honestly top purpose, and overall I think had a robust overall performance,” stated U.S. Head coach Gregg Berhalter stated after the Honduras recreation. “For an 18-yr-antique, it turned into virtually outstanding what he did.”
