Pepi Shines for PSV

 Eyes Starting Roles Against Jamaica

Ricardo Pepi continued his impressive form for PSV Eindhoven, scoring and assisting in a commanding 3-0 victory over NAC Breda in the Eredivisie. The 21-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finishing off a brilliant setup from Ismael Saibari, before turning provider himself to set up Saibari's goal just twelve minutes later.

Despite limited starting opportunities this season – just three starts in 10 matches – Pepi has been remarkably efficient, notching six goals for the Dutch league leaders. His latest performance couldn't have come at a better time, as the USMNT prepares for crucial Nations League quarterfinal matches against Jamaica.

With regular strikers Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent sidelined by injuries, Pepi appears poised to claim the starting role for the upcoming fixtures. His clinical finishing and growing chemistry with his PSV teammates make a strong case for selection by manager Mauricio Pochettino. Pepi is very familiar with Jamaica, scoring twice in a 2-0 victory over the Reggae Boyz on October 7, 2021.

PSV's victory extended their lead atop the Eredivisie to five points, though challengers FC Utrecht and Ajax have games in hand.

Weah Scores vs Torino

Tim Weah heads into the upcoming USMNT Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica in scintillating form, having netted his third goal in four Serie A matches during Juventus' 2-0 derby victory over Torino. The 24-year-old forward, who has been named to Mauricio Pochettino's 25-man squad, is enjoying his most prolific season in Italy, scoring four goals in eight league appearances.

Weah's transformation under new Juventus manager Thiago Motta has been remarkable. After going scoreless in 30 Serie A appearances last season, he's flourishing in a more attacking role within Motta's 4-2-3-1 formation. His recent goal against Torino over the weekend scored with his father and former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah watching from the stands, showcased his intelligent positioning.

The American's versatility has made him an irreplaceable figure for Juventus, where he boasts the team's best goal-scoring rate at one goal every 112 minutes. His ability to play multiple positions and provide both defensive coverage and attacking threat aligns perfectly with what both club and country need.

However, Weah will miss the first leg in Kingston while serving the second game of a two-match suspension carried over from the Copa America. He'll be available for selection in the crucial return leg in St. Louis on November 18.

Haji injured; misses call-up

 Wright suffered an ankle injury against Sunderland

Coventry City striker Haji Wright was forced to leave Saturday's match against Sunderland after suffering what appears to be a significant ankle injury in the 87th minute. The American forward, who scored his seventh league goal of the season in the 62nd minute, required a stretcher to transport him around the pitch and down the tunnel, later appearing in the dressing room on crutches with his ankle wrapped in ice.

Interim Coventry City coach Rhys Carr provided an initial update following the team's 2-2 draw, stating: "I have seen him briefly. He came into the dressing room on crutches and with bags of ice on his ankle. That will take a little bit of time to get assessed properly to see where he is." Coventry Telegraph Carr suggested that Wright may have twisted his ankle, though the full extent of the injury remains unknown and is pending further assessment.

The timing of the injury could impact Wright's availability for the upcoming USMNT matches, as the national team prepares for their Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal fixtures against Jamaica. Wright had previously played a heroic role in the Nations League semifinals last year, scoring a crucial brace to help the U.S. advance to the finals.

Adams Starts vs Brentford

Tyler Adams made his first start this season for AFC Bournemouth as the Cherries fell 3-2 to Brentford. The midfielder played 67 minutes in his first Premier League start since March 30.

Adams will miss the upcoming USMNT Nations League matches against Jamaica as he continues his careful return to full fitness with Bournemouth. He has made two additional appearances off the bench this season following his summer surgery, reflecting a pattern of limited availability that has defined his time with the club.

Since joining Bournemouth in August 2023, Adams has managed only seven appearances, though manager Andoni Iraola remains confident in the American's abilities when available. "Whenever we needed him last season, this season, he has been good, he has played well," Iraola explained, while acknowledging that availability, not ability, has been the primary challenge. Bournemouth Echo

The Bournemouth manager believes Adams suits the team's style perfectly and can become a "super important player" once fully fit, though for now, that means prioritizing his gradual return to club football over international duty.

MATCHDAY VLOG #32

Here is the USMNT's Copa America defeat to Uruguay in Kansas City. Relive the nightmare. Better times are ahead.

July 1, 2024: USA 0-1 Uruguay [HT 0-0]

Kansas City, MO, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (55,460)

2024 Copa América, Group C

Scorer: Mathías Olivera 66′

USA: 1-Matt Turner; 22-Joe Scally (19-Haji Wright, 79′), 3-Chris Richards, 13-Tim Ream (17-Malik Tillman, 89′), 5-Antonee Robinson; 8-Weston McKennie, 4-Tyler Adams, 6-Yunus Musah (26-Josh Sargent, 72′); 10-Christian Pulisic (c), 20-Folarin Balogun (9-Ricardo Pepi, 41′), 7-Gio Reyna

Subs not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 25-Sean Johnson, 2-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Johnny Cardoso, 16-Shaq Moore, 23-Kristoffer Lund, 24-Mark McKenzie

Suspended: 21-Tim Weah

Head coach: Gregg Berhalter

URU: 1- Sergio Rochet; 8-Nahitan Nández, 4-Ronald Araújo, 16-Mathías Olivera, 17-Matías Viña (2-José María Giménez, 72′); 5-Manuel Ugarte (3-Sebastián Cáceres, 89′), 15-Federico Valverde; 11-Facundo Pellistri,7-Nicolás de la Cruz (6-Rodrigo Bentancur, 79′), 20-Maximiliano Araújo; 19-Darwin Núñez (9-Luis Suárez, 89′)

Subs not used: 14-Agustín Canobbio, 21-Emiliano Martínez, 24-Lucas Olaza, 18-Brian Rodríguez, 10-Giorgian de Arrascaeta, 12-Franco Israel, 23-Santiago Mele, 22-Nicolás Marichal, 26-Brian Ocampo, 13-Gullermo Varela

Head coach: Marcelo Bielsa

Referee: Kevin Ortega (PER)

Cards: Tyler Adams [Y 17′], Chris Richards [Y 33′] — Darwin Núñez [Y 45′]

Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History

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MATCHDAY VLOG #31

This match was on its head. A disallowed goal. Red cards. A goalkeeper sub. An overturned penalty. A few missed opportunities. Another defeat. The USMNT fell to Panama in Copa America and are now in a must-win situation come Monday. I was there.

June 27, 2024: USA 1-2 Panama [HT 1-1]

Atlanta, GA, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (59,145)

2024 Copa América, Group C

Scorers: Folarin Balogun (Antonee Robinson) 22′ — César Blackman 26′, José Fajardo (Abdiel Ayarza) 83′

USA: 1-Matt Turner (18-Ethan Horvath, 46′); 22-Joe Scally, 3-Chris Richards, 13-Tim Ream (26-Josh Sargent, 84′), 5-Antonee Robinson; 7-Gio Reyna (2-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 46′), 4-Tyler Adams (15-Johnny Cardoso, 46′), 8-Weston McKennie; 21-Tim Weah (18′, ejection), 10-Christian Pulisic (c), 20-Folarin Balogun (9-Ricardo Pepi, 72′)

Subs not used: 25-Sean Johnson, 6-Yunus Musah, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 16-Shaq Moore, 17-Malik Tillman, 19-Haji Wright, 23-Kristoffer Lund, 24-Mark McKenzie

Head coach: Gregg Berhalter

PAN: 22-Orlando Mosquera; 2-César Blackman (13-Freddy Góndola, 60′), 25-Roderick Miller, 3-José Córdoba, 24-Edgardo Fariña, 15-Éric Davis; 23-Michael Murillo, 6-Christian Martínez (5-Abdiel Ayarza, 76′), 8-Adalberto Carrasquilla (88′, ejection), 10-Édgar Bárcenas; 9-Eduardo Guerrero (17-José Fajardo, 46′)

Subs not used: 21-César Yanis, 16-Carlos Harvey, 1-Luis Mejía, 18-Omar Valencia, 19-Iván Anderson, 14-Jovani Welch, 4-Eduardo Anderson, 26-Kahiser Lenis, 12-César Samudio, 11-Ismael Díaz

Head coach: Thomas Christiansen

Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)

Cards: Tim Weah [R 18′], Antonee Robinson [Y 33′], Chris Richards [Y 89′] — Eduardo Guerrero [Y 45′], Adalberto Carrasquilla [R 88′], Edgardo Fariña [Y 92′], Freddy Góndola [Y 93′]

Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History

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Sunset Haze by Filo Starquez   / filo-starquez  

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MATCHDAY VLOG #30

The #USMNT conceded early and suffered its worst defeat in nearly a decade. Despite Tim Weah cutting the deficit in half, it ended up being embarrassing. I was there.

June 8, 2024: USA 1-5 Colombia [HT 0-2]

Landover, MD, Commanders Field (55,494)

International Friendly

Scorers: Timothy Weah (Folarin Balogun) 58′ — Jhon Arias 6′, Rafael Borré 19′, Richard Rios (Luis Sinisterra) 77′, Jorge Carrascal (Juan Quintero) 85′, Luis Sinisterra (Juan Quintero) 88′

USA: 1-Matt Turner; 3-Chris Richards, 5-Antonee Robinson, 7-Gio Reyna (17-Malik Tillman, 63’), 8-Weston McKennie (6-Yunus Musah, 71’), 10-Christian Pulisic (c) (19-Haji Wright, 45’), 13-Tim Ream (2-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 62’), 15-Johnny Cardoso (14-Luca de la Torre, 83’), 20-Folarin Balogun (9-Ricardo Pepi, 72’), 21-Tim Weah, 22-Joe Scally

Subs not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 25-Sean Johnson, 4-Tyler Adams, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 16-Shaq Moore, 23-Kristoffer Lund, 24-Mark McKenzie, 26-Timmy Tillman

Head coach: Gregg Berhalter

COL: 12-Camilo Vargas; 23-Davinson Sánchez, 3-Jhon Lucumi, 17-Johan Mojica, 21-Daniel Muñoz; 16-Jefferson Lerma (5-Kevin Castaño, 83’), 15-Mateus Uribe (6-Richard Rios, 45’); 10- James Rodríguez (20-Juan Quintero, 71’), 7-Luis Díaz (18-Luis Sinisterra, 71’), 11-Jhon Arias (8-Jorge Carrascal, 62’); 19-Rafael Borré (14-Jhon Durán, 62’)

Subs not used: 22-Yaser Asprilla, 25-Álvaro Montero, 13-Yerry Mina, 1-David Ospina, 27-Deiver Machado, 4-Santiago Arias, 9-Miguel Borja, 2-Carlos Cuesta, 24-Jhon Córdoba

Head coach: Néstor Gabriel Lorenzo

Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez (MEX)

Cards: Matt Turner [Y 69′]

Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History

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MATCHDAY VLOG #29

From Arlington, it was the third Nations League Final in four years and the third vs Mexico. Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna each scored to produce that favorite USMNT scoreline: Dos a Cero! I was there.

March 24, 2024: Mexico 0-2 USA [HT 0-1]

Arlington, TX, AT&T Stadium (59,471)

2024 Concacaf Nations League Final

Scorers: Tyler Adams, 45′, Gio Reyna 63′

Mexico: 13-Guillermo Ochoa (c); 19-Jorge Sánchez, 3-César Montes, 5-Johan Vásquez, 23-Jesús Gallardo (6-Gerardo Arteaga, 90’+2); 4-Edson Álvarez, 14-Érick Sánchez (17-Orbelín Pineda, 65′), 18-Luis Chávez (7-Luis Romo, 80′); 15-Uriel Antuna (11-Santiago Giménez, 65′), 20-Henry Martín, 22-Hirving Lozano

Subs not used:

Head coach: Jaime Lozano

USA: 1-Matt Turner; 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Chris Richards, 13-Tim Ream, 5-Antonee Robinson; 4-Tyler Adams (Johnny Cardoso, 46′), 8-Weston McKennie, 7-Gio Reyna (Yunus Musah, 79′); 21-Tim Weah (Malik Tillman, 90’+2), 14-Haji Wright (Folarin Balogun, 66′), 10-Christian Pulisic (c) (Brenden Aaronson, 90’+2)

Subs not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 22-Drake Callender, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 12-Miles Robinson, 16-Mark McKenzie, 19-Joe Scally, 23-Kristoffer Lund

Head coach: Gregg Berhalter

Referee: Drew Fischer (CAN)

Cards: Johan Vásquez [Y 55′], Edson Álvarez [Y 58′], Uriel Antuna [Y 63′], Santiago Giménez [Y 74′] — Weston McKennie [Y 27′]

Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History

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Moments by GalaxyTones / galaxytones  

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MATCHDAY VLOG #28

The USMNT left it so late, but an own goal forced extra time and a brace from Haji Wright in the final half hour sealed the victory and a spot in the Nations League Final. I was there. March 21, 2024: USA 3-1 Jamaica (AET) [HT 0-1] Arlington, TX, AT&T Stadium (40,926) 2024 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal Scorers: Cory Burke (OG) 90’+6, Haji Wright (Gio Reyna) 97′, (Gio Reyna) 110′ — Gregory Leigh (Bobby Reid) 1′ USA: 1-Matt Turner; 5-Antonee Robinson, 3-Chris Richards, 12-Miles Robinson, 19-Joe Scally (7-Gio Reyna, 46′); 8-Weston McKennie, 6-Yunus Musah (4-Tyler Adams, 63′) (15-Johnny Cardoso, 100′), 17-Malik Tillman (11-Brenden Aaronson, 76′); 10-Christian Pulisic (c), 20-Folarin Balogun (9-Ricardo Pepi, 63′), 21-Tim Weah (14-Haji Wright, 63′) Subs not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 22-Drake Callender, 13-Tim Ream, 16-Mark McKenzie, 23-Kristoffer Lund Suspended: 2-Sergiño Dest Head coach: Gregg Berhalter JAM: 1-Andre Blake (c); 2-Dexter Lembiska, 17-Damion Lowe, 3-Michael Hector, 6-Di’shon Bernard, 22-Gregory Leigh (7-Kaheim Dixon, 102′); 10-Bobby Reid, 14-Kasey Palmer (16-Karoy Anderson, 74′), 15-Joel Latibeaudiere, 19-Jamal Lowe (8-Daniel Johnson, 65′); 20-Renaldo Cephas (9-Cory Burke, 74′) (18- Romario Williams, 102′) Subs not used: 13-Shaquan Davis, 23-Jahmal Waite, 4-Tayvon Gray, 5-Richard King, 11-Shamar Nicholson, 12-Demarai Gray, 21-Bailey Cadamarteri Head coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson Referee: Selvin Brown (HON) Cards: Joe Scally [Y 12′] — Dexter Lembiska [Y 51′], Kasey Palmer [Y 54′], Damione Lowe [Y 69′] Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Build by KV 📷 / kvmusicprod Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3vTe0nP Music promoted by Audio Library https://bit.ly/3w2cEak ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MATCHDAY VLOG #27

A tough start to the first Nations League Semifinal, but the USMNT sealed the victory last with Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna scoring goals. I watched it at the bar with some friends. November 16, 2023: USA 3-0 Trinidad and Tobago [HT 0-0] Austin, TX, Q2 Stadium (19,850) 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal, Leg One Scorers: Ricardo Pepi (Antonee Robinson) 82′, Antonee Robinson 86′, Gio Reyna (Folarin Balogun) 89′ USA: 1-Matt Turner; 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 13-Tim Ream (c), 5-Antonee Robinson; 8-Weston McKennie, 6-Yunus Musah, 7-Gio Reyna; 17-Malik Tillman (9-Ricardo Pepi, 66′) 20-Folarin Balogun, 16-Kevin Paredes (11-Brenden Aaronson, 66′) Subs not used: 18-Ethan Horvath, 21-Gaga Slonina, 4-Chris Richards, 10-Alex Zendejas, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Paxten Aaronson, 19-Joe Scally, 22-Lennard Maloney, 23-Kristoffer Lund Head coach: Gregg Berhalter TRI: 22-Denzil Smith; 14-Shannon Gomez, 16-Alvin Jones, 2-Aubrey David (c), 17-Justin Garcia, 6-Andre Raymond; 7-Ryan Telfer (15-Neveal Hackshaw, 46′), 12-Daniel Phillips (23-Kristian Lee-Him, 66′) 18-Andre Rampersad (4-Jesse Williams, 66′) 8-Noah Powder; 19-Malcolm Shaw (11-Levi Garcia, 66′) Subs not used: 1-Christopher Biggette, 21-Rushon Sandy, 3-Ross Russell, 5-Michel Poon-Angeron, 9-Nathaniel James, 10-Real Gill, 13-Reon Moore, 20-Kaile Auvray Head coach: Angus Eve Referee: Oshane Nation (JAM) Cards: Noah Powder [Y 18′, 38′], Neveal Hackshaw [Y 90’+1] Lineup from the Society for American Soccer History –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––