USMNT star ready to shine on European soil | OneFootball

The opportunity has knocked, and Ricardo Pepi is ready to answer. Already having proved himself as a decisive player both for his national team and PSV, this USMNT forward is in line to start the upcoming Eredivisie match against FC Groningen. With PSV's captain and offensive anchor Luuk de Jong sidelined, Pepi steps into a role he has long been waiting for-to be the go-to forward.

Ricardo Pepi goes into Groningen full of confidence. PSV's coach Peter Bosz has made it clear that the young forward has a future at the club. Pepi is, according to Bosz, the natural successor to De Jong, even though the timing for that transition is still not clear.

However, Pepi’s patience; a skill honed through a career full of ups and downs; seems to be wearing thin. He’s proven his readiness, whether in the Eredivisie or on international duty with the United States. Determined to seize this opportunity, Pepi is focused on turning this temporary role into a permanent spot as PSV’s first-choice forward.

PSV v PEC Zwolle - Dutch Eredivisie / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Proving Himself with the USMNT

During the international break, Pepi was the best player for the USMNT. In the absence of Folarin Balogun, who was injured, Pepi became the first choice forward and produced at a time when it counted. The two goals he scored in critical matches, with the winner coming against Jamaica, were pretty clear evidence of his talent and potential.

Aside from his scoring, Pepi showed maturity and resilience. It was a long year and a half of patience on the bench, waiting for 10 or 15 minutes of game time every weekend. It was frustrating for a while, but I learned to trust the process," the forward admitted. Now, with more minutes and a renewed sense of confidence, Pepi looks unstoppable. He’s netted eight goals in his last 475 minutes, averaging a goal every 59 minutes — a staggering rate.

Competing with Luuk de Jong

Despite his hot streak, Pepi knows that challenging Luuk de Jong for the starting spot won’t be a walk in the park.

Currently, Pepi stands as PSV's second highest scorer this season, scoring six times. What's even more impressive is that he has done so in nearly half the minutes De Jong himself has played. The question is, how much longer can PSV substantiate themselves keeping Pepi as secondary? For Pepi, it will be a pretty straightforward answer. “I feel like I’m at a point in my career where I’m ready for more playing time,” he stated. The match against Groningen offers the perfect platform for Pepi to back up his words with action.

Jamaica v United States: Quarterfinals - Leg Two - 2024 Concacaf Nations League / Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

Pepi: A Rising Star for PSV and the USMNT

Since his arrival in PSV, Pepi has grown significantly. The hunger not to be just a backup has made him perform well each time, and his numbers speak volumes. If club success is not enough, then his role for the USMNT surely does make him one of the rising stars of American soccer.

The coming match against Groningen is more than just an Eredivisie game. For Pepi, this is a moment when his position as a starter really needs to be consolidated. Having already netted six goals this season, there has been little doubt about his ability to rise to important moments of the match. This could be a good opportunity not only to cement his position within PSV but also to carry momentum into upcoming international commitments.

Pepi has the tools, the confidence, and now the opportunity to prove he's not some short-term fix to PSV's attack but a long-term solution. And as he continues to make his mark in both the Eredivisie and with the USMNT, the one sure thing is that Ricardo Pepi now has all it takes to make the transition from promising talent to a certified star on the global stage.