Ricardo Pepi certainly made the most in his final preseason appearance of the summer.
Pepi scored twice in PSV’s 3-2 friendly victory over FC Eindhoven on Wednesday. The U.S. men’s national team forward donned his new No. 9 kit for the first time, giving PSV fans a glimpse of what they hope to see more of this season.
Pepi needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock from Eindhoven, roofing a right-footed shot into the top-left corner.
After Sven Blummel pulled one goal back for FC Eindhoven three minutes later, PSV captain Guus Til recaptured the lead for Peter Bosz’s squad.
Pepi netted his second goal of the first half to make it 3-1 PSV after superb work from Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kiliann Sildillia. A pull back pass to Pepi allowed the American forward to roof his second goal of the summer.
Blummel would add his second goal of the half to cut the PSV lead to 3-2, but it was the closest that the visitors would come to finding a second equalizer.
Pepi played 72 minutes in the match while right back Sergino Dest was rested ahead of Sunday’s competitive opener.
PSV will now prepare for the Dutch Super Cup against Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, which serves as the certain-raiser for the domestic campaign.
re the people harping on pepi’s injury, i’d be more concerned about dest, who got dropped from the summer camp at gold cup roster release and then pulled early from a friendly with some sort of issue.
i remember getting a lecture how he got some games in march or april, implying he wasn’t having injury issues. but he then got cut from a camp and then pulled from a preseason friendly. that suggests re-aggravation or he came back too soon.
If only Dest hadn’t just went 90 on Saturday and shut down Nico Williams. They basically split their squad between the Bilbao match and Hoffenheim match, you played one or the other. Pepi didn’t dress Saturday so he played yesterday. Dest played 90 on Saturday didn’t play yesterday.
He’s the American Trezeguet. Hopefully he can stay healthy.
Ricardo Pepi is DEFINITELY going to score in double digits this season. Guaranteed if he can stay healthy for the season……
Good to see. Hopefully he stays healthy and score a butt load of goals.
I’d prefer a boat load of goals, but to each his own.
Sidillia is a very good 23 year old RB they brought in from SC Freiburg. He’s good enough to provide a challenge to Dest at RB. Just something to watch…
Dest can play multiple positions. Would not be surprised to see Dest even used as a wing option for PSV this season
Or they just move him back to LB, where they preferred him to Mauro Junior in 2024.