PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ricardo Pepi |
| Date of Birth | 09/01/2003 (Age: 23) |
| Place of Birth | El Paso, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Position | Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #11 |
| Current Club | PSV Eindhoven |
| Previous Clubs | FC Dallas, FC Augsburg, FC Groningen (loan) |
| International Caps | 38 |
| International Goals | 13 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
The Frozen Moment
The Los Angeles Stadium erupted. June 12, 2026. The United States and Paraguay were locked in their World Cup opener, and Ricardo Pepi was on the pitch for the biggest moment of his life.
Just four years earlier, he had been one of the final cuts from the 2022 World Cup roster. He had hung up the phone on Gregg Berhalter, unable to process the heartbreak of being left out of the Qatar squad. He was just 18 years old when he scored crucial World Cup qualifiers and earned a blockbuster move to Europe, but it wasn’t enough. The rejection was devastating. “That is obviously not pleasant,” Pepi later reflected. “But I feel like I have been using that in a good way to be at this World Cup. It helped me grow. It made me mature a little bit.”
On May 22, 2026, he was in the passenger seat of his father Daniel’s car in Dallas when the WhatsApp video from Mauricio Pochettino arrived—the message confirming his place in the 26-man squad. He showed it to his father. “Immediately he started to cry a little bit,” Pepi recalled.
After overcoming a torn meniscus and a fractured arm, after being linked with a move to Fulham that fell through, after injuries that threatened to derail his dream once again, the boy from El Paso was finally a World Cup player. Christian Pulisic, the USMNT captain, spoke for the squad: “He absolutely deserves to be here.”
Origins
Ricardo Pepi was born on January 9, 2003, in El Paso, Texas, to Mexican parents. He grew up in the San Elizario area of the city, on the border between the United States and Mexico. “I feel like El Paso is 90 percent Hispanic, it’s in the US, but it’s Mexican—there’s Mexican food, the culture is Mexican,” Pepi later explained. “That’s where I started playing soccer, that’s where my family moved from Mexico to El Paso, to give better opportunities—not only to me but to my siblings. I feel El Paso is my place.”
At 13 years old, Pepi left his family home to join the FC Dallas Academy from its El Paso affiliate club. The decision was difficult, but it was a necessary step to pursue his professional dream. He completed his high school education online, and FC Dallas organized a special graduation ceremony for him inside their stadium, a moment he remembers with pride.
He signed his first professional contract with FC Dallas in 2019 and made his MLS debut the same year, at just 16 years old. In July 2021, he became the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat-trick, firing three past the LA Galaxy in under 50 minutes. That season, he earned MLS Young Player of the Year honors.
The European Forge
FC Dallas (2019-2021):
Pepi made 52 appearances for FC Dallas, scoring 15 goals. His performances in the 2021 season, where he scored 13 goals, made him the top prospect on the annual 22 Under 22 list. In January 2022, he moved to Bundesliga club FC Augsburg for a club-record transfer fee—the most expensive outgoing transfer for an American MLS player to a European club at the time.
FC Augsburg & Groningen Loan (2022-2023):
Pepi struggled initially in Germany, failing to score in 16 Bundesliga appearances. He was loaned to Dutch side FC Groningen for the 2022-23 season. He found form in the Eredivisie, scoring 12 goals, but could not prevent Groningen’s relegation.
PSV Eindhoven (2023-Present):
In January 2023, PSV Eindhoven signed Pepi for $9.8 million. The transfer was arranged by former USMNT international Earnie Stewart, who had been impressed by Pepi’s performances in the Netherlands. His time at PSV has been defined by remarkable goal-scoring consistency, but also by injuries.
In the 2023-24 season, he helped PSV win the Eredivisie title. In the 2024-25 season, his campaign was disrupted when he tore the meniscus in his right knee during a Champions League match against Liverpool on January 29. He returned to score 19 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions—including three in the Champions League—despite breaking his right arm, which kept him out between January 10 and February 21.
In the 2025-26 season, Pepi has continued his goal-scoring form. He finished with 19 goals in the Eredivisie and 21 goal contributions overall. Pochettino has described him as “one of the greatest strikers in the world for here in the USA.” He has amassed 45 goals in his last three years with PSV.
A potential transfer to Fulham in the English Premier League was reportedly close to completion but fell through at the last minute.
The Anatomy of His Game
Pepi is a striker defined by his lethal finishing, predatory instinct, and relentless work rate. He has been described as “a predator” by Pochettino.
In Possession:
Pepi is a composed finisher with an exceptional ability to score in the box. Former USMNT striker Jozy Altidore described him as “a very good finisher” with a “crafty” edge. PSV technical director Earnie Stewart said: “The one innate ability he has is anything around or in the 18-yard box, he’s lethal… sometimes in our director’s box, we joke that we already know it’s a goal.” He is also capable of creating chances, as demonstrated by his assists against Senegal and Paraguay.
Out of Possession:
Pepi is a relentless presser. Pochettino praised his work rate after he and Balogun pressed Australia’s center-backs into submission in a 2-0 World Cup win. He is also a physical presence—standing at 1.85 meters—who can hold the ball up and compete in aerial duels.
Versatility:
Pepi can play as a lone striker or in a two-striker formation. Pochettino noted that he “can play with another striker, he can play alone” and that he has “an unbelievable capacity to create chances and score goals.”
Psychological Edge:
Pepi’s mental resilience is his defining characteristic. He overcame the heartbreak of being left out of the 2022 World Cup, a torn meniscus, a fractured arm, and a failed transfer to Fulham to earn his place at the 2026 tournament. His attitude has been praised by teammates. “He has kept a high level, scoring goals, doing all the right things, and that is why his moment is now,” said Christian Pulisic.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie | — | 19 | — |
| UEFA Champions League | — | 3 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | — | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | 19 | — |
TABLE B: International Record (2026 World Cup)
| Stage | Opponent | Minutes | Goals | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Paraguay | — | 0 | Sub appearance |
| Group Stage | Australia | 90 | 0 | First World Cup start |
| Group Stage | Türkiye | — | 0 | Only holdover forward |
| TOTAL | — | — | 0 | — |
TABLE C: Career (Selected Clubs)
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 | FC Dallas | 52 | 15 |
| 2022 | FC Augsburg | 16 | 0 |
| 2022-2023 | Groningen (loan) | — | 12 |
| 2023-Present | PSV Eindhoven | — | 19+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 45+ |
TABLE D: The Impact Table (Major Honours)
| Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Eredivisie | 2023/24 |
| MLS Young Player of the Year | 2021 |
| Total Major Trophies | 2 |
What these figures reveal
is a player who has consistently delivered goals at every level. Pepi has scored 45 goals in his last three years with PSV, 19 goals in the 2025-26 Eredivisie season, and 13 goals in 38 appearances for the USMNT. At 23, he is one of the most prolific strikers in the USMNT player pool.
The Present Tense
Ricardo Pepi is 23 years old and at the peak of his powers. He is a PSV Eindhoven player, a USMNT striker, and a World Cup debutant.
The PSV Story:
Pepi has won three consecutive Eredivisie titles with PSV. He has scored 19 goals in the 2025-26 Eredivisie season and 3 goals in the Champions League. He has been linked with a move to the English Premier League.
The World Cup Campaign:
Pepi was named in Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made his World Cup debut in the opener against Paraguay, coming on as a substitute. He made his first World Cup start against Australia, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory. He was one of only two holdovers—alongside Weston McKennie—to start the heavily rotated group stage finale against Türkiye. The USMNT advanced to the Round of 16.
International Record:
Pepi has 38 caps and 13 goals for the USMNT. He made his senior debut in 2021 and has been a regular in the national team setup since.
The Redemption Arc:
Pepi’s journey from the 2022 World Cup rejection to the 2026 tournament is a story of redemption. He has spoken about how the disappointment helped him grow: “It helped me grow. It made me mature a little bit.” Pochettino has praised his resilience and improvement: “I think he’s getting better and better every day.”
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Pepi is defined by his border town identity and his dual heritage. He was born in El Paso to Mexican parents and grew up bilingual. He has spoken about the importance of his Mexican heritage: “My culture at home is Mexican. But once I step foot out of my house, my culture is American.”
He faced a difficult decision in 2021: whether to represent Mexico or the United States. He had played for Mexico’s Under-16s and grew up cheering for El Tri. “Growing up I was always rooting for Mexico,” he recalled. His father Daniel admitted: “My dream was for Ricardo to play for Mexico.” But his parents gave him their full support. His mother Annette told him: “Son, whatever path you want to take, we will be here for you.”
He chose the United States in August 2021 and scored on his debut against Honduras in a World Cup qualifier.
His idols growing up were Mexican legends: Hugo Sánchez and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández. The influence of Mexican culture on his upbringing remains strong. He has also revealed that his favorite food is still his mother’s Mexican cooking.
The Verdict from the Camp
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Head Coach:
“Pepi is a predator.”
“Ricardo, for me, is one of the greatest strikers in the world for here in the USA.”
“He has an unbelievable capacity to create chances and score goals. Today, him and Flo, they made an unbelievable show for the team.”
Christian Pulisic, USMNT Captain:
“He’s kept a high level, scores goals, does all the right things, and that’s why his moment is now. He absolutely deserves to be here.”
Jozy Altidore, Former USMNT Striker:
“A little bit more crafty, a little bit rough around the edges. But he’s constantly pressing and a very good finisher.”
Earnie Stewart, PSV Technical Director:
“The one innate ability he has is anything around or in the 18-yard box, he’s lethal… he’s really lethal when he gets it on his right foot.”
Ricardo Pepi:
“I feel like El Paso is my place, it’s where I grew up and showed me everything I know now.”
“Although I chose the USA, I’m still Mexican. You know, my culture at home is Mexican. But once I step foot out of my house, my culture is American.”
Statistic:
Pepi has 13 goals in 38 appearances for the USMNT.
Statistic:
Pepi scored 19 goals in the 2025-26 Eredivisie season.
Statistic:
Pepi is the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat-trick.
Where Next?
Ricardo Pepi is 23 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with PSV Eindhoven and is one of the most valuable assets in the Eredivisie. He has been linked with a move to the English Premier League, with Fulham reportedly close to signing him before a deal fell through.
For the USMNT, he is a key player. His 38 caps and 13 goals, his World Cup experience, and his lethal finishing make him an invaluable asset for the national team. At 23, he has many years ahead of him and could become one of the most prolific strikers in USMNT history.
From El Paso to FC Dallas, from Augsburg to Groningen to PSV Eindhoven, and from a World Cup rejection to a World Cup debut, Ricardo Pepi’s journey is a story of resilience, redemption, and a refusal to be defined by setbacks. The boy from the border who chose the United States and overcame injury to conquer the world stage is only just beginning.
