Striker Came Off the Bench in PSV's Win Over Go Ahead Eagles
Ricardo Pepi returned to action for PSV Eindhoven after nearly a month sidelined with injury, coming off the bench in the club's 2-1 victory over Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday. The USMNT striker entered in the 71st minute, replacing Ismael Saibari, and immediately looked to make an impact, though he fired one opportunity wide with fifteen minutes remaining.
The appearance marked a welcome return for Pepi, who has endured a frustrating stretch regarding both fitness and playing time. Before his latest injury setback, he had managed just 32 minutes of action against Excelsior on September 27, where he was removed with a muscle strain. Prior to that injury, he had starts against Ajax (90 minutes on September 21) and Union Saint-Gilloise (74 minutes on September 16). His last goals came in an impressive brace during PSV's 5-3 triumph over NEC Nijmegen last month.
A knee injury sustained in January's Champions League clash with Liverpool eventually required surgery, forcing him to miss last summer's Gold Cup. His recovery has been gradual and interrupted, with this recent muscle problem representing another setback—though it wasn't considered serious.
The 21-year-old possesses exceptional movement and link-up play that make him a valuable asset for the USMNT. However, these recurring fitness issues threaten his chances of establishing himself as the starting striker ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he hopes to avoid repeating his 2022 Qatar disappointment.
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