Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven)
October 2025
Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas questioned Ricardo Pepi’s chances of making the 2026 World Cup roster after another knee injury ruled him out of October friendlies. With competition for striker spots intensifying, Pepi risks being edged out if absences continue.
Speaking on his podcast, Lalas said injuries reduce Pepi’s chances of proving his worth compared to rivals. Despite scoring 13 goals in 33 caps, he now misses games against Australia and Ecuador. Pepi’s return timeline will be pivotal ahead of November’s qualifiers.