RICARDO PEPI

American soccer success on the world stage remains a dream.

Landon Donovan breaks down the United States' problems at striker and what it can do to fix them.

Ricardo Pepi, Jordan Pefok and Ricardo Pepi were among those left off of the USMNT's World Cup roster.

Then just over a dozen were dealt the devastation of missing the cut, Ricardo Pepi and Zack Steffen among them. Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Joe Scally and Sean Johnson made it. Norwich's Josh Sargent and Antalyspor's Wright beat out Pepi, the 19-year-old whose three goals in qualifying were second behind Christian Pulisic's five. "He’s playing in the best league in the world and he's playing at a very high level,” Berhalter said. Berhalter, the first former U.S. player to coach the Americans at a World Cup, reminded those who fell short of how he was left off the roster in 2006.

He chose to take Haji Wright, Tim Ream, Shaq Moore and Cristian Roldan to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. That keeper was Zack Steffen, and while his exclusion won't be the most consequential of the bunch, it was the most surprising of Berhalter's seven biggest roster snubs. He burst onto the scene with FC Dallas, chose the USMNT over Mexico, and scored a couple massive World Cup qualifying goals. He started all four games in May and June of 2021, and one World Cup qualifier each in September and October. That versatility seemed to make him a valuable World Cup asset.

As the United States released its final roster ahead of Qatar on Wednesday, the decision not to bring Zack Steffen is perhaps the most surprising of all.

The U.S. World Cup roster had some surprises: Ricardo Pepi was left off along with Zack Steffen, Paul Arriola and Jordan Pefok.

The USMNT's World Cup roster will be revealed on Wednesday; here's what FOX Sports' soccer experts think it will look like.

The United States ended its World Cup tuneup matches in unimpressive fashion, playing a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night at Murcia, Spain, that saw oft-injured Gio Reyna come off in the 30th minute because of muscle tightness. Ricardo Pepi, inserted at forward in a final audition for the 26-man World Cup roster, had a team-low 13 touches and no shots against the 53rd-ranked Saudis before Jesús Ferreira replaced him in the 59th minute. The two results augur poorly for their return to the World Cup and will do little to quiet criticism of Berhalter, who left Jordan Pefok, John Brooks and Tim Ream off this roster. The U.S. was without Tim Weah, Yunus Musah, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Zack Steffen due to injuries, and Miles Robinson will miss the World Cup because of a torn Achilles tendon. Saudi Arabia is in a World Cup group with No.

The United States ended its World Cup tuneup matches in unimpressive fashion, playing a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia at Murcia, Spain.

Coming off what head coach Gregg Berhalter described as a "very bad" performance, the U.S. men's national team will conclude its 2022 World Cup prep on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia. The game — the USMNT's last before its World Cup opener — kicks off at 2 p.m. That's because the team's penultimate World Cup tuneup, a 2-0 loss on Friday to Japan, was borderline shambolic. Ricardo Pepi will get a chance to stake his claim to a World Cup roster spot. Berhalter will announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9 at an event in New York City.

Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi will join the U.S. starting lineup for the Americans' last World Cup warmup against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night after coach Gregg Berhalter admitted “we got our butts kicked” by Japan last week. We got our butts kicked and we’re not proud of it," Berhalter said Monday in Murcia, Spain, ahead of the last exhibition. "We think we should have played much better, we could have played much better, and we didn’t. And if we can do that, we’ll be fine.”Berhalter plans to announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9, 12 days before the Americans open in Qatar against No. For players, a trip to the World Cup is a highlight of their careers, leading to intense pressure to make the roster.

Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi will join the U.S. starting lineup for the Americans’ last World Cup warmup against Saudi Arabia after coach Gregg Berhalter admitted “we got our butts kicked” by Japan last week.

Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi will join the U.S. starting lineup for the Americans' last World Cup warmup against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night after coach Gregg Berhalter admitted “we got our butts kicked” by Japan last week. The 14th-ranked U.S. failed to get a single shot on target in Friday's 2-0 defeat to No 24 Japan, a match Pulisic missed because of an unspecified injury.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Josh Sargent is back on the U.S. roster for the first time in a year, picked at forward along with Ricardo Pepi and Jesús Ferreira for the Americans’ final two World Cup warmup matches. Berhalter plans to announce his 26-man World Cup roster on Nov. 9, 12 days before the Americans’ opener at the tournament in Qatar. Back in the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament, the U.S. opens against 20th-ranked Wales on Nov. 21, plays No. 5 England in a Black Friday matchup four days later and closes group play on Nov. 29 against 21st-ranked Iran. Berhalter’s roster will average 24 years, 201 days as of the start of training on Monday.

Josh Sargent is back on the U.S. roster for the first time in a year, picked at forward along with Ricardo Pepi and Jesús Ferreira for the Americans’ final two World Cup warmup matches.

The World Cup roster will be unveiled on Nov. 9. Full USMNT roster for September campBerhalter called in 26 players in total. He is the undisputed starting left back, and his World Cup status is not in question. He spearheaded a comeback in Honduras and a win over Jamaica to steady a wobbling World Cup qualifying campaign. He recently moved to Groningen in the Netherlands on loan, seemingly in an attempt to revive his World Cup hopes.

Bayern Munich midfielder Malik Tillman is switching affiliation from Germany to the United States and is among 27 players invited to the Americans’ next-to-last training camp ahead of the World Cup.

Ricardo Pepi, Kellyn Acosta, Tim Weah and DeAndre Yedlin returned to the starting lineup as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes for the Americans' final World Cup qualifier at Costa Rica.

Zack Steffen was in goal as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter used an “A” team lineup and changed five starters for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Estadio Azteca.

Gio Reyna, Jordan Pefok and Ethan Horvath are back for the United States’ final World Cup qualifiers but Sergiño Dest appears likely to miss the three games.

That was McKennie’s ninth international goal, his second in World Cup qualifying, and it would prove to be enough. The ball glanced off Zimmerman’s left leg, and he kicked it in with his right from 5 yards for his third international goal. Pulisic scored about three minutes after entering. He scored from near the penalty spot with his second touch of the game — his 18th international goal. Notes: Costa Rica won 1-0 at Jamaica as Joel Campbell scored his 22nd international goal in the 62nd minute.

Christian Pulisic was benched as U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed seven starters for a World Cup qualifier against Honduras in chilly St. Paul, where the temperature at kickoff was 3 degrees (minus-16 Celsius) with a minus-14 windchill.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)COLUMBUS, Ohio — (AP) — Midfielders and defenders are providing the goals the United States needs to reach the World Cup — by a wide margin. Three of the Americans’ 13 goals in the first nine qualifiers have come from outside defenders, with left back Antonee Robinson scoring his second in Thursday night’s arduous 1-0 win over El Salvador. Right back Sergiño Dest had the tying goal in the 2-1 victory over Costa Rica last week on the same Lower.com field. They are a big part of how we play, especially when we’re dropping our midfielders lower.”With qualifying at nearly the two-thirds point going into Sunday’s match at Canada, seven goals have been produced by midfielders. Canada leads North and Central America and the Caribbean with 19 points, followed by the U.S. (18), Mexico (17), Panama (14) and Costa Rica (12), with Jamaica (seven), El Salvador (six) and Honduras (three) lagging.

Midfielders and defenders are the players providing the goals the United States needs to reach the World Cup.

Antonee Robinson broke through the freeze in the air and the U.S. offense, scoring in the 52nd minute to lift the United States over El Salvador 1-0 and kept the Americans on track for a return to the World Cup.

Jordan Morris, Tim Weah, Sergiño Dest and Gyasi Zardes returned from injuries to make the U.S. roster ahead of the next three World Cup qualifiers.

Germany Soccer Bundesliga Augsburg's new US forward Ricardo Pepi, left, is substituted during the Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg in Sinsheim, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP) (Uwe Anspach)SINSHEIM, Germany — (AP) — American forward Ricardo Pepi made his Bundesliga debut for Augsburg in a 3-1 loss at Hoffenheim on Saturday. The 18-year-old Pepi, who joined Augsburg from Major League Soccer's Dallas on Monday, came on in the 60th minute with his new team already 2-1 down. Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl introduced Florian Niederlechner at the same time as Pepi, and the two forwards provided an immediate boost for the visitors. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The newest player on the U.S. men's national soccer team feels like he fits right in.

In choosing new TQL Stadium in Cincinnati for a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, the U.S. Soccer Federation selected a city with a 3% Hispanic population in a state that ranks 42nd among the 50 in that demographic.

Ricardo Pepi sat down with his family to discuss his big decision: whether to play for the United States or for Mexico. Pepi figures to face Mexico for the first time in the crucible of World Cup qualifying, when the region's top two teams play Friday night at Cincinnati's new TQL Stadium. All 25 players on the U.S. roster practiced Tuesday at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford, Ohio.

The four played key roles in a 2-0 win over Jamaica that put the youthful group into first place in World Cup qualifying heading into Sunday’s match at Panama. Aaronson and Adams were among the group that left San Pedro Sula on an overnight charter for London and Berlin. “We put up the minutes of the past week, and he’s a guy that was dragging,” Berhalter said. And he did it.”Paul Arriola, at 26 one of the Americans’ veterans, missed the September qualifiers with a hamstring injury. While only going 90 minutes once, he, too, played six games from Sept. 11 through Oct. 2.

World Cup qualifying has become a game for the young, with stamina to withstand travel and short recovery time.

WCup Jamaica US Soccer United States' Walker Zimmerman leaps above Jamaica's Shamar Nicholson (11) to head the ball during a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — Ricardo Pepi got a pair of goals early in the second half, becoming at 18 the youngest American to score in consecutive World Cup qualifiers, and the United States dominated Jamaica in a 2-0 victory Thursday night. Pepi made his Major League Soccer debut for Dallas in June 2019 and decided just before the start of qualifying to play for the U.S. over Mexico. 59 Jamaica, which has not gone to the World Cup since 1998, has one point after four matches. Goalkeeper Matt Turner rolled the ball to his right flank, where Dest ran onto it just outside his own penalty area.

Ricardo Pepi scored twice early in the second half, becoming at 18 the youngest American with goals in consecutive World Cup qualifiers, and the United States dominated Jamaica in a 2-0 victory.

AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — Walker Zimmerman, Yunus Musah and Paul Arriola were given their first starts of this World Cup qualifying cycle and Weston McKennie returned from a two-match banishment when the United States played Jamaica on Thursday night. Forward Ricardo Pepi was the only other holdover from the starting lineup in the 4-1 win at Honduras on Sept. 8. Midfielder Brenden Aaronson and left back Antonee Robinson also were in the starting lineup against the Reggae Boyz after entering at the start of the second half in Honduras. They were joined in the starting lineup by right back Sergiño Dest, who missed the match at Honduras because of a sprained ankle. Zimmerman and Musah made their World Cup qualifying debuts, raising the U.S. total to 18 in four matches.

Ricardo Pepi put the U.S. ahead in the 75th minute, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget added late goals and the U.S. rolled past Honduras 4-1 Wednesday night. Still, Brayan Moya put 63rd-ranked Honduras ahead in the 27th minute, breaking free of George Bello and heading a cross from Diego Rodríguez past goalkeeper Matt Turner after John Brooks lost the ball. Pepi made a backheel drop in the 6-yard box to Robinson, who scored with a right-footed volley from 8 yards. The U.S. scored four goals in a qualifier in Central America for the first time. Panama has five points and trails on goals, while Costa Rica and Honduras have two points apiece and Jamaica none.

Honduras US Wcup Soccer United States' Ricardo Pepi, left, celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Honduras during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Robinson scored in the 48th minute and Pepi, starting in his international debut, in the 75th. Aaronson, who scored his first goal in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Canada, added his goal on a counter off a feed from Pepi. “Maybe we thought it was going to be easier than it was going down to El Salvador, Honduras. Notes: Canada beat visiting El Salvador 3-0 on goals by Atiba Hutchison, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan.

Antonee Robinson and Ricardo Pepi scored their first international goals after a halftime change in formation, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget added late goals and the United States revived its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-1 win over Honduras.

Honduras US Wcup Soccer United States head coach Gregg Berhalter walks on the pitch during a training session ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match between Honduras and the United States in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (Moises Castillo)SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — (AP) — Forward Ricardo Pepi was given his U.S. national team debut as under-pressure coach Gregg Berhalter changed five starters for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier at Honduras. Defenders George Bello, Mark McKenzie and James Sands also were inserted into the lineup along with forward Josh Sargent. Pepi, Bello, McKenzie and Sands were making their World Cup qualifying debuts. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Forward Ricardo Pepi was given his U.S. national team debut as under-pressure coach Gregg Berhalter changed five starters for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier at Honduras.

New England goalkeeper Matt Turner made two penalty kick saves and FC Dallas’ Ricardo Pepi scored off the underside of the crossbar to seal the MLS team’s victory over a team of Liga MX stars in the MLS All-Star Game.

Major League Soccer and Liga MX both realize they’re more powerful as partners than rivals.

Forward Jozy Altidore and goalkeeper Brad Guzan are on a preliminary 59-man United States roster with a mostly junior varsity appearance for next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Seattle Sounders defender Shane O'Neill (27) heads in a goal against FC Dallas during the second half of an MLS playoff soccer match, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Seattle. As in his one previous MLS goal before Tuesday night. The Sounders will face either Minnesota United or Sporting Kansas City in the West final next Monday. But O’Neill found himself unmarked in front of the Dallas goal in the 49th minute and flicked Nicolas Lodeiro’s corner kick past Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. It was the first Seattle goal by someone other than Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris in the past five matches.