When someone looks at the U.S. Men’s National Team, almost every position is locked in. The wings are Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, the midfield consists of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams and the defense is locked in to Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards and Miles Robinson.
The only position where there is a question mark, both long-term and short-term, is the striker. Quite possibly the most important position in soccer, the striker is the one whose job it is to put the ball in the back of the net. After an impressive start to his MLS season and a great showing for U.S. World Cup Qualifying, Ricardo Pepi has thrust himself to the top of the list, but who is Pepi and what has he done this year?
MLS performance
Pepi burst into the spotlight when his performance for FC Dallas became the talk of the MLS. Since July 24, Pepi has scored seven goals and had three assists in ten games. The young striker can’t stop scoring. Averaging a goal contribution per game is amazing, and it is exactly what the USMNT needs. Pepi has started 18 games and contributed to 14 goals. His 12 goals are tied for fourth in the MLS, and the season still has time to
Struggles with current strikers
Through two World Cup Qualifying games against inferior opponents in El Salvador and Canada, the U.S. managed just one goal, drawing both matches. The talent and creativity that the team has should result in more goals. Josh Sargent, Daryl Dike and Jordan Pefok Siebatcheu have come up big for the U.S. in recent memory, but nobody has been able to separate themselves as the clear-cut starting option.
The team shouldn’t need late goals to beat inferior talent. Draws with CONCACAF teams should rarely happen. The U.S. is way too talented for this to happen. The issues point directly at the No. 9, or striker. Sargent has played 416 minutes in 2021 for the U.S., scoring just one goal. Dike has scored three goals in eight matches, playing 439 minutes. Pefok has netted two goals in 277 minutes of playtime. The U.S. needs a clinical No. 9 to put them over the top.
On Aug. 26, Pepi accepted a call-up to join the U.S., declining an invite to join Mexico.
WCQ performance
When the U.S. Men’s National Team was nearing its lowest point due to an early goal from Honduras, Pepi came up big. In his first ever start at the senior international level, Pepi assisted Antonee Robinson on a goal that tied the game. About 27 minutes later, Pepi scored a debut goal that put the U.S. ahead. He wasn’t done there. The 18-year-old striker assisted Brenden Aaronson just 11 minutes later, putting the game away. The U.S. was noticeably different with Pepi on the field. Decisive, explosive and creative define Pepi’s showing against Honduras.
Does the U.S. have a true No. 9?
It looks like the U.S. will have a long-term striking option in Pepi. His play in the MLS combined with his performance in WCQ has been very promising. According to Fabrizio Romano, an unnamed Serie A club president wants to sign Pepi. In the near future, it seems like he will be the next American to make his way over to Europe and play with the best talent in the world.
