Ricardo Pepi has been one of the minimal bright spots in the FC Groningen squad this season, and although the American forward has done everything he has to keep the Dutch club in the Eredivisie, that dream ended on Sunday.
Pepi scored his 12th Eredivisie goal of the season in FC Groningen’s 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles. Although the former FC Dallas man has continued to enjoy a career-year in Europe, the result officially relegated FC Groningen with three matches to play this season.
Pepi’s left-footed strike in the sixth minute boosted FC Groningen in front 1-0 as he finished off Oliver Antman’s cross into the center of the Go Ahead Eagles net.
Willum Willumsson’s 30th minute equalizer pulled Go Ahead Eagles level and put real worry into the FC Groningen squad albeit with over an hour to play.
Tomas Suslov’s first half effort was all FC Groningen could truly create as the Go Ahead Eagles defense stood firm and walked away with one point.
FC Groningen’s unbeaten run extended to eight matches as the Dutch club now prepares to play in the Eerste Divisie for the first time since 2000.
Pepi’s loan spell from FC Augsburg is set to conclude later this month with growing interest in the USMNT forward this summer. The 20-year-old has accounted for 12 of FC Groningen’s 29 league goals to date while also contributing one goal in a 3-0 KNVB Cup win last October.
FC Groningen faces Ajax, Vitesse Arnhem, and Sparta Rotterdam in its final three matches of the league campaign.