Ricardo Pepi: USA's Secret Weapon

The United States likely have one of the most talented squads the nation has ever assembled despite some serious flaws. When looking at the options the Americans have in their attack, it's scary good. It could be the biggest reason why the United States could make a deep run, but that's for another article. However, there is one player that keeps being overshadowed by the stars in this squad, but luckily us Americans know how great it is to have him on our team.

Ricardo Pepi is a star in his own right, but fans of USA know how good he is. Pepi was excellent with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer scoring 15 goals in 55 matches, but after following a failed career move to FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, he moved to play in the Erevidise in Netherlands (first on loan to FC Groningen and then a transfer to PSV Eindhoven), and never looked back. In the one season with Groningen and three at PSV, Pepi has scored 34 goals in 71 appearances (that's just league play as he actually has 45 in 102 matches). Pepi has also suffered some injuries, which has affected how much playing time he has had and it makes one wonder if Pepi had been fully fit what his output would be. If Pepi has numbers like that, then manager Mauricio Pochettino has a secret weapon off the bench.

So what makes Pepi such a good option for Pochettino? Pepi can be labeled as a super sub simply for the points made in the last paragraph: his scoring efficiency. Again, 34 goals in 71 league appearances despite the injuries, that's just an excellent reason for him to be included. Another reason he is seen as a super sub is his playmaking abilities as Pepi has shown elite hold up play, precise passing abilities, and able to link up unselfishly suggesting he is a team player and will do anything he can to help his squad win. Tactically, Pepi can come off the bench to apply pressure being a second striker to Folarin Balogun or Haji Wright or can drop into space. Just imagine being opposing backlines and goalkeepers and seeing those guys coming at you, with the ability they have, and being able to handle the pressure. Pochettino has options here and many possible ways to use Pepi. Pepi isn't likely going to start, but what he is able to makes him worthy of being a super sub and that alone is a scary, but good thought.

Because of all that and the little publicity Pepi gets outside of the US, it works to the Americans' advantage here. Yes, managers across the globe are studying what USA has, but it's unlikely they have a gameplan when having to go up against something like this. There is no doubt that when opposing fans see Pepi play, they'll say "Who is this guy?! He's so good!" Again, the secret weapon factor. While Giovanni Reyna could be used as a super sub as well, at least opposing fans know who he is and those teams will gameplan accordingly against him. Pepi is different here especially considering that he offers more in the attack, which could actually benefit Reyna ironically as Pepi's "unexpected" presence will lead to opposing defense's scrambling to find a way to stop him while freeing things up for Reyna to score or distribute the ball to someone thus creating a stronger opportunity to score.

It's easy to see why Pepi is going to be likely a major factor at the World Cup. Pochettino knows what he is capable of, it's more or less knowing what the situation might be in order to use Pepi. Either way, Pepi presents as an option for Pochettino that will help USA get an opportunity to win. His presence might even be more important during the knockout round. More could be said about how this might work out, but now the world is about to find out how good Pepi is and why he is the secret weapon for the Americans.