Ricardo Pepi is starting to pick up steam at the right time for reigning Dutch champions PSV.
Pepi scored for the second-straight match on Saturday as PSV defeated Heerenveen 2-0 in Eredivisie play. The American forward scored PSV’s second goal in a five-minute span before the half hour mark, helping Peter Bosz’s squad stay six points clear at the top of the league standings.
Pepi has continued to fight for minutes at the No. 9 position this fall, contributing wherever he can. With seven goals and two assists now in 17 appearances this season, the 22-year-old is finding his form with PSV competing in three different competitions.
A busy week approaches for PSV with Atletico Madrid visiting the Philips Stadion in UEFA Champions League play on Tuesday before Heracles Almelo and GVVV Veenendaal follow suit in league and cup action.
An in-form Pepi entering 2026 may not only do wonders for PSV, but also for the U.S. men’s national team.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Josh Sargent
Norwich City suffered a road defeat to Watford on Saturday but Josh Sargent did end his lengthy goal-less drought in the process.
Sargent scored his first goal since August 30 despite the Canaries falling 3-2 at Vicarage Road. The American forward headed home Oscar Schwartau’s cross in the 11th minute, kickstarting what was a dramatic affair.
Sargent played the full 90 minutes in the match, logging his first goal in his last 17 matches.
Emily Fox
Arsenal picked up its WSL schedule in winning fashion on Saturday.
Emily Fox assisted once as the Gunners defeated visiting Liverpool 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. The U.S. women’s national team right back continued to be a consistent threat on the right flank, setting up Stina Blackstenius for an 87th minute winning goal.
Fox now has one goal and two assists in 14 appearances this season in all competitions.
Brenden Aaronson
Leeds United earned a crucial home point in Saturday’s thrilling draw with Liverpool.
Brenden Aaronson came off the bench and assisted once in the Lilywhites’ 3-3 draw with the reigning league champions. Aaronson played 25 minutes, setting up Anton Stach for a 2-2 equalizer.
Despite Liverpool regaining the lead rather quickly, Leeds used a 96th minute tying goal from Ao Tanaka to continue what has been a positive stretch of matches for them.
Weston McKennie
Juventus did not leave Naples with three points, but Weston McKennie did leave with his first assist of the season.
McKennie set up Kenan Yildiz for the Bianconeri’s equalizer in a 2-1 Serie A loss to Napoli. A superb team play was capped off by McKennie’s upfield pass being slotted home by Yildiz in the 59th minute.
Despite Napoli walking away with the home win, McKennie continued to be a key player in Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.
No Pepi starting and PSV getting clobbered.
He went 90 minutes twice in 11 months then went 90 twice in a week. It wouldn’t have been wise to have started him again.
McKennie had two assists – the second one just happened to be on the winning goal for the other team – oops
Pepi most definitely read the striker job description. No b.s., man just goes to work, puts the ball into the net.
I guess Monday games don’t count
Else Pulisic’s brace to keep Milan top of Serie A would be the clear choice.
Monday falls on a new week. If Pulisic does well over the weekend then his Monday game will be included in this week.