It was a positive return to action on Saturday for American striker Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi came off the bench for PSV and scored in a 3-1 Eredivisie victory over Heerenveen. It marked Pepi’s second goal of 2026 and his 11th of the season in all competitions as PSV picked up a crucial three points in its quest to repeat as league champions.
Lasse Nordas propelled the visitors in front 1-0 at the Philips Stadion but PSV would tie things up before halftime.
Ivan Perisic equalized for Peter Bosz’s men, giving the hosts a key spark.
Myron Boadu needed just three minutes after halftime to give PSV a 2-1 lead before Pepi came off the bench to ice the result. Pepi entered the match in the 75th minute and although he had a goal waived off shortly after coming on, the U.S. men’s national team forward finally celebrated his goal before second-half stoppage time.
Pepi unleashed a powerful right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving PSV a two-goal lead that it wouldn’t relinquish.
Fellow American Sergino Dest played the full 90 minutes at right back as PSV moved 17 points clear at the top of the table.
Up next for PSV is a trip to Heracles Almelo on February 28 with Pepi aiming to add to his goal total.
Bac,
Do you count Pulisic as a striker? Or do you list him as a midfielder? Does it even matter?
Because he’s our most dangerous player, the one the other team will try to game plan for. He’ll take all the penalties. He’s probably going to be our leading goal scorer.
Just ask oddsmakers in Las Vegas. Follow the money.
Christian Pulisic: ~5/2 (+250)
Folarin Balogun: ~3/1 (+300)
Haji Wright: ~6/1 (+600)
17 year old Julian Hall with a brace for NYRB. Still has many areas of his game to work on at striker, but his movement in and around the box is definitely improving.
16 yr old Adri Mehmeti was even better in that game. 17 yr old Matthew Dos Santos was pretty good too. Justin Che just 22, coming out of nowhere to remind people he once was a top prospect wanted by Bayern. Just one game but if MB90 gets that team to play like that all year they are going to be fun to watch and very successful.
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17 yr Cooper Sanchez started for Atlanta, Cupps came off the bench for Chicago, Sullivan off the bench for Philadelphia, 19 yr old Duran Ferree started in net for San Diego, 17 yr old Ian James started at CB for SKC, Gozo started for RSL. I’m sure I’m missing some other teens, but a lot of youth were on display.
Johnny, is NYRB your new team after moving on from Columbus? I forget your team prior Columbus?
Also Cade Cowell reminding folks how much of a terror on the wing he can be. Unlucky not to score at least 1 goal smashing his strike off of the crossbar.
Twomile: Columbus has always been my team. From the Brian McBride and Doctor Khumalo early days, thru Frankie Hejduk, Sigi and Schelotto days, Berhalter and Higuain, the Porter reign of terror and the Nancy era.
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Red Bulls were a lot of fun Saturday night it will be interesting if Bradley can get them to play like that consistently. Strong in the press but also in possession. Basically Forsberg and a bunch of teenagers.
Keep on saying Poch may take 4 strikers. Mckennie can play multiple positions in midfield as well as Tillman. May only need 4 true DM’s. Heck even Jedi Robinson played that hybrid DM/LB role under Poch last year.
My how things have changed. Leading up to the 2006 WC it was hard to see who besides McBride would score for the USA.
Does 2006 McBride make to 2026 WC roster? His game somewhat resembles Wright but way better in the air and way higher workrate. Balogun the most well rounded of the four with Pepi offering a rangy finishing options. Big Pat is an option for set pieces and crosses into the box from wide areas
Twomilerule,
“Does 2006 McBride make to 2026 WC roster?”
I don’t know but when McBride played defenders were allowed by the referees to do things you that would get them sent to jail today
I would say yes McBride was a better striker than Wright or Agyemang, but it’s so hard to compare across eras. He’d probably come off the bench though.
Damn.
Pepi makes you wonder where his ceiling is. He just turned 23 last month and big strikers often keep developing well into their 30’s because the really elite ones show ever-more-intelligent movement, continue to improve their finishing and timing, and settle into their frames and start imposing themselves physically. And since their game was never speed-based losing a half-gear doesn’t hurt them much. Haji Wright’s showing that development track himself – which seems likely to put him in the Prem next year with Coventry – and I suspect Ajyemang might well continue to progress as well though he’s starting later than either Wright or Pepi because he spent so long in college and he’s not as skilled as either guy from the jump, though Ajyemang’s physicality, work rate, and willingness to chase everything and battle for every ball mean are on an entirely different level neither guy is close to either. As PN noted…it’s a good problem to have. But if we take three and all four of our top guys are healthy – I’d definitely have Ajyemang and Wright vying for that third spot – a good striker seems likely to be left off.
But despite his injury setbacks Pepi seems to be separating some from the next tier of guys. I didn’t realize Fulham had escalated their last bid for Pepi all the way up to €37M right before the trade deadline and teams like RB Leipzig, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund were reportedly looking at him hard too. Based on what he’s showing every time he sets foot on the field for PSV the last couple years you can see why. His goals-to-minutes-played ratio has been ridiculous and he looks dangerous all the time. The big thing that keeps holding him back is those injuries, and it still remains as true as ever that a player’s most important trait is availability.
In regards to his ceiling, Pepi’s ever-inflating asking price – Fulham offered €37M ($42.6M!) just before the transfer window closed – and list of interested clubs suggest a lot of people think it’s very high. It’s definitely hard to see him not making the WC squad this time around and contributing significantly if he can just stay healthy. The bigger debate might actually be if he or Balogun are going to be the starter.
Agree with the comments but absent injury you have to believe Balogun is starting with Pepi as a super-sub. Maybe Wright comes on as a winger and as solid as Agyemang has been recently, how does he see the field?
We dont play with traditional wingers. Wright is a striker.
Maybe not, but think about last summer. Poch would bring on Downs with Agyemang and Damion would play off of Big Pat.
So JR, if he ends up bringing 4 strikers, who loses out?it won’t cost the defense or DMs a spot,
Gio
Aaronson
Luna
Bac,
Do you count Pulisic as a striker? Or do you list him as a midfielder? Does it even matter?
Because he’s our most dangerous player, the one the other team will try to game plan for. He’ll take all the penalties. He’s probably going to be our leading goal scorer.
Just ask oddsmakers in Las Vegas. Follow the money.
Christian Pulisic: ~5/2 (+250)
Folarin Balogun: ~3/1 (+300)
Haji Wright: ~6/1 (+600)
BAC: I don’t think he brings 4. As for your 3 you listed if Gio can play he goes, then I think it’s who is hotter Luna or BA. BA has cooled again and Luna is dealing with a knock so I don’t know.
Comes on in the 75th minute……has a shot on goal to force an awesome save from Klaverboer in the 77th minute……scores in the 78 minute (was disallowed after video review)……..then the kid calmly take a shot from OUTSIDE THE 18 YARD BOX to score a beautiful goal………with an arm cast on lol
This Kid is pure magic. Wow
Every striker in the WC pool is scoring and in great form. It is a good problem for Pochettino to have.