Ricardo Pepi commits to the United States national team
After a summer where he led the United States national team to Nations League and CONCACAF Gold Cup triumphs, it turns out that Gregg Berhalter had one more victory left before September’s World Cup qualifiers. Landing Ricardo Pepi, a dual national, is massive for the national team.
This week, Pepi chose the United States national team over Mexico. The 18-year old forward has nine goals in 20 appearances this season for FC Dallas and was named to the MLS All-Star team for the midweek match against the best from Liga MX.
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On Thursday, United States national team head coach Gregg Berhalter was asked about the recruiting of Ricardo Pepi and the head man was frank in his assessment.
“We’ve been talking to Ricardo for much longer than Mexico has been involved…For us, it’s not about what Mexico is doing. It’s what we’re doing,” Berhalter said.
Gomez, in talking with ESPN’s Sebastian Salazar, loved Berhalter’s bravado and swagger.
“Don’t worry about us, we’re doing us – you do you, that’s what it is,” Gomez said. “And great, because oftentimes the perception has been that Mexico is quick to cap these kids, just to have, right? Maybe not nurturing them the right way may not let him grow maybe not let me earn it.”
Ricardo Pepi ramifications
The landing of Ricardo Pepi was a big win for the United States, especially since most dual nationals of a high caliber have historically picked El Tri over the United States national team. Recently, Jonathan Gonzalez and Efrain Alvarez both went with Mexico instead of the United States. Both selections were daggers to the United States program, even as it remains to be seen how either young player develops for El Tri.
While not a rule of thumb, generally most players of Mexican origin who have picked the United States have had limited futures with El Tri. Pepi was clearly coveted by both sides when he picked the Americans.
“But this is Gregg Berhalter saying we are paying attention to these players, we value these players, we’re not worried about Mexico, they’re doing you,” Gomez said. “That is great. I love seeing this, I love that because you’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some. Yeah, but you have to try for all of them. This is a huge win.”
It was a big week for the national team. Beyond the news about Ricardo Pepi, it appears that Erik Palmer-Brown is on the verge of joining a top five European league.