Ricardo Pepi
USMNT striker back in contention after scoring for PSV following a broken arm.
Last refreshed: 2 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
With Pulisic goalless for 100 days, does the USA's World Cup attack rest on Pepi?
Timeline for Ricardo Pepi
Returned from broken arm and scored in PSV's 3-1 win
2026 FIFA World Cup: Adams returns; Robinson hurt; Pepi scores- Is Ricardo Pepi fit for the 2026 World Cup?
- Yes. Pepi returned from a broken Arm in April 2026 and scored in PSV's 3-1 win, restoring himself to USMNT contention ahead of the 26 May squad announcement.Source: Lowdown
- What club does Ricardo Pepi play for?
- Pepi plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. He joined from Augsburg in 2023.
- How good is Ricardo Pepi for the US national team?
- Pepi is the USMNT's primary striker. He became the youngest American to score a hat-trick for the US national team and has been a prolific scorer at PSV Eindhoven.
- How old is Ricardo Pepi?
- Born in 2003, Pepi will be 22 years old at the time of the 2026 World Cup, making him one of the youngest starters in Pochettino's projected XI.
- Why is Ricardo Pepi important for the USA at the World Cup?
- With Christian Pulisic in a 100-day goal drought as of April 2026, Pepi's ability to lead the attack independently makes him arguably the USMNT's most important offensive player for the home tournament.Source: Lowdown
Background
Ricardo Pepi is the United States men's national team's primary striker, playing his club football at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. After being sidelined with a broken Arm, Pepi returned to match action in April 2026 and scored in PSV's 3-1 win, restoring himself to USMNT contention ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's 26 May squad announcement .
Born in El Paso, Texas in 2003, Pepi became the youngest American to score a hat-trick for the USMNT. He joined PSV from Augsburg in 2023, becoming a prolific goal-scorer in a Dutch title-winning environment. His injury had raised questions about his availability for the home tournament; his return to fitness and form is one of the few positive selection developments in an otherwise disrupted April for Pochettino.
At 22 years old at tournament time, Pepi is one of the youngest members of the projected USMNT starting XI. With Christian Pulisic's goal drought extending beyond 100 days as of April 2026, Pepi's ability to lead the line independently of Pulisic's form makes him arguably the US's most important offensive player for the 2026 tournament. His World Cup performance is widely expected to shape his transfer market value significantly.