United States men’s national team fans received devastating news on Thursday as Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad reported that star U.S. and PSV striker Ricardo Pepi is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
ESPN followed up with a report saying the 22-year-old is expected to miss one to three months. The good news is that Pepi didn’t tear his ACL.
The injury occurred during PSV’s 3-2 Champions League win vs. Liverpool on Wednesday where Pepi scored and assisted a goal. He was forced off with the injury in the 76th minute, though it’s unclear what caused it.
Ricardo Pepi injury
Ricardo Pepi is set to miss several months due to a knee injury suffered against Liverpool in the Champions League. https://t.co/QlpikGgB90
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 30, 2025
If Pepi were to be out for three months he’d miss nearly the entire remainder of the season, PSV’s Champions League playoff games in mid-February and the USMNT’s Nations League semifinal and final in March.
The injury comes at a terrible time for Pepi as his excellent form with PSV was likely going to earn him the starting striker job for Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side.
AS Monaco and U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is also out for several months due to shoulder surgery. The USMNT’s striker situation has been exacerbated with Pepi’s injury.
The PSV striker has largely been used as a substitute this season but has been electric off the bench. Despite only starting eight games all season, Pepi has recorded 17 goals in 28 appearances for the senior PSV team.
Those numbers are off the charts for a substitute striker and are the reason that Premier League side West Ham sent an offer to PSV for the American.
⚒️ EXCLUSIVE: West Ham submit official bid for USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi worth €25m package, loan with obligation to buy.
Understand PSV Eindhoven have rejected the proposal. pic.twitter.com/l8AZkZiiXk— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2025
USMNT fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Pepi recovers quickly.
