Pefok's Late Europa League Winner

On This Day in 2021, the Striker, Yet to Represent the US, Nets Winner in Seven-Goal Thriller

After a difficult start to his Young Boys career, during which he failed to score in his first 10 Swiss Super League appearances, Jordan Pefok found his scoring touch spectacularly during the 2020-21 season. The Washington D.C.-born striker, on loan from French side Rennes, netted 10 goals in 23 league appearances and was proving to be a key figure in Young Boys' attack.

But in the Europa League Round of 32 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, Pefok announced himself on the European stage. On the memorable February 18 night in Switzerland, Young Boys raced to a stunning 3-0 first-half lead against their German opponents. Pefok contributed one of the goals alongside strikes from Christian Fassnacht and Meschack Elia.

The comfortable lead wouldn't last, as Leverkusen mounted a fierce comeback. Patrik Schick led the charge with two goals as the Bundesliga side fought back to level the match at 3-3, threatening to overturn Young Boys' early advantage. However, with just one minute remaining in regular time, Pefok emerged as the hero, scoring his second goal of the match to give Young Boys a dramatic 4-3 victory.

It was an effortless finish for Pefok. After Gianluca Gaudino's effort was saved onto the post, Pefok crashed the net and was the quickest to the tap-in. The brace was part of a three-goal performance across both legs as Young Boys eliminated Leverkusen 6-3 on aggregate. Though their European journey would end in the next round with a 5-0 aggregate loss to Ajax, Pefok's performances had caught attention well beyond Switzerland.

Just weeks after his Europa League heroics, Pefok received his first call-up to the U.S. Men's National Team in March. The 24-year-old striker, eligible to represent France (where he had previously played at the U-21 level) and Cameroon through his parents, declared his intention to represent the United States.

"Yes, I have decided," Pefok said. "I made my choice a few weeks ago. I will be very happy to play for the USMNT. I am very focused right now with YB and hope to play with the national team- if that possibility is presented."

He debuted during that March international window, starting the second match against Jamaica. Pefok made his most significant impact on the national team when three months later, on June 3, he nodded home the 89th-minute winner to secure a spot in the Nations League Final with a 1-0 win over Honduras.