SEATTLE – The story goes that Ricardo Pepi hung up the phone when the former coach of the United States national team, Gregg Berhalter, informed him that he would not be part of the squad for the 2022 World Cup. Less than four years later, Pepi was driving in the car with his father when he received a notification on WhatsApp from Mauricio Pochettino. The message? He was part of the list of 26 players who would take part in the tournament to be held at home this summer. "I showed him and he started crying a little," said Pepi, who was coached by his father as a child in May, before the U.S. team's World Cup campaign. Ricardo Pepi is the main candidate to start against Belgium (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) "Being excluded is not pleasant, but [I used it] in a positive way to get to this World Cup. I felt like it helped me grow. It made me mature a little bit. So it was part of the process." Pepi has participated in all four of the United States national team's games so far, starting two. He could get a big opportunity on Monday against Belgium in the round of 16 due to the suspension of striker Folarin Balogun, who received a controversial red card in the resilient victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. There are several ways Pochettino can adjust his formation to compensate for Balogun's absence. The simplest option would be to keep the other 10 starters and include Pepi or Haji Wr
ight at the front, although each brings a different skill set. Or Pochettino could opt for a more creative change, similar to the one he made when he paired Pepi and Balogun against Australia after Christian Pulisic was left out with a calf injury. We won't know Pochettino's tactical approach until kick-off, but if Pepi starts, his team-mates have complete confidence in him. Haji Wright is another option to start in front of the American team. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images) "His tenacity and energy has been impressive, to be honest," Tyler Adams told reporters before this week's practice on the University of Washington campus. "I've played with Pepi a lot, but what he's done defensively has been huge for us and also for our wingers, so they don't have to do as much work. He holds the ball well and when he's in front of goal, we know he can score. Pepi had an opportunity in the second half against Paraguay, but has otherwise struggled to make an impact in this tournament. However, his recent form for the club suggests that could change. The 23-year-old Texan is coming off a brilliant season with the PSV Eindhoven, helping the Dutch club to a third consecutive Eredivisie title. He scored 19 goals in 34 games across all competitions, despite missing most of January and February with an arm injury. Prior to the injury, he had scored in s.
here are consecutive league games. Ricardo Pepi is still looking for his first World Cup goal. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) He found his form after returning from injury, finishing the club's season with six goals in his last five games. He carried that momentum into the Americans' pre-tournament friendly against Senegal and, although he didn't score, his chemistry with Pulisic was evident, as he registered an assist and helped drive the attack. "Pepi is a killer," Pochettino told reporters in May. "He is a player who has the ability to read where the space for the ball is, get to the ball and have the possibility of scoring and creating opportunities, sometimes out of nowhere." And big European clubs have taken notice. Earlier this year, for example, rumors circulated about a possible summer move to Fulham. It never materialized, but a strong performance against Belgium could reignite interest. "His finishing is really good – he can be very important for us with his finishing," said Sergiño Dest, who plays with Pepi at PSV, on Saturday. "And he's also comfortable playing. He's already had some great games. He integrates well into the team. He's a different type of striker, but now, if he plays against Belgium, it's his chance to show what he's capable of." Losing your top scorer during the World Cup knockout stages may seem like a nightmare scenario, but the Americans are not stressed. Pochet
tino built the group to value the team over individuals and this became part of its identity. "One man falls, the next man gets up," said defender Chris Richards after the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. "We are more than just a player." Balogun, who spoke to the press on Friday, said he will do everything to support the team – and Pepi in particular, if his name is called. “Whatever he needs, whatever he needs,” Balogun said. "I'm not the kind of person who's going to bombard you – I'm a pretty private person in general – but whatever he needs. And not just him, but anyone on the team. If they need any advice or anything I can help with. I'm more than happy to do that. "I've always said the team comes first, so whether I'm out there or not, it's no different."