Jordan Pefok is one of several U.S. men’s national team forwards that has hit the ground running during the new European season, but despite having a strong start to life in the German Bundesliga, the American forward was not chosen for upcoming international duty.
Pefok was one of several surprising exclusions from Berhalter’s 26-player roster on Wednesday ahead of upcoming friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia respectively. The 26-year-old is one month into his move to Union Berlin, scoring three goals and adding two assists in six combined appearances for the club.
Pefok recently returned to action on Sunday, logging 75 minutes in a 1-0 league victory over Cologne. He missed a penalty kick opportunity in the first half of Sunday’s match at RheinEnergie Stadion, the lone blemish in Pefok’s early days in Urs Fischer’s squad.
After not featuring for the USMNT during June’s four-match schedule, Pefok was passed over in Berhalter’s September roster, watching as Josh Sargent, Jesus Ferreira, and Ricardo Pepi were chosen ahead of him.
“We’re pretty confident we know Jordan’s profile, we know what he can do,” Berhalter told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. “And we didn’t feel like we needed to see him in this camp to determine whether he could be on the [World Cup] roster or not.
“The decisions aren’t easy decisions, and I understand that Jordan should be in consideration – he was,” Berhalter added. “In the end we decided to go with these three strikers to evaluate them. With Jordan, he’s been putting a hell of an effort in. He’s been working hard. He’s been a handful to play against. He’s been doing a lot of things right.”
Pefok has earned nine caps with the USMNT, scoring once in a 1-0 Concacaf Nations League semifinal victory over Honduras in June 2021. The former Swiss Golden Boot winner made three appearances for the USMNT during World Cup Qualifying, starting in a 1-1 draw with Canada last September.
Pefok’s physicality and aerial abilities have helped him continue his development in Europe and also force his way into the USMNT picture over the past year. He also will be involved in European competitions with Union Berlin as the Bundesliga club continues its quest in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, something Sargent, Ferreira, and Pepi do not have on their resume.
Pefok will remain in Berlin for now as he not only prepares to stay healthy but also in good form with only two months to go until the USMNT’s World Cup schedule begins.
“I think we’ve been consistent in saying it may not be the best forward that is in the group. It’s the guy that fits what we’re doing the best,” Berhalter said. “We’re pretty confident we know what Jordan can do. It’s been fun watching him play. He’s off to a great start in the Bundesliga, and we opted for someone else in this camp.”