Ricardo Pepi could miss two months due to a knee injury sustained during PSV Eindhoven’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League. Following his match-winning goal against the title favorites, the 21-year-old forward was riding high, but this setback has cast a shadow over his promising season.
Pepi’s goal against Liverpool marked his 18th of the season and his second in the prestigious tournament, solidifying his position as a key player for both the U.S. men’s national team and PSV Eindhoven. His performance has been a clear indicator of his talent and determination, showcasing why he is regarded as the go-to striker for both teams.
However, Pepi’s plans to continue his impressive run have been interrupted. A source confirmed to FOX Sports that the knee injury he suffered could keep him sidelined for up to two months, following reports from various media outlets in the Netherlands.
The full extent of the injury is still being evaluated. If the prognosis holds true, Pepi will be unavailable for the U.S.’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama on March 20, as well as a potential final against historic rival Mexico just three days later. This absence would be a significant blow to head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is also likely to miss striker Folarin Balogun until April.
Balogun, previously the preferred center forward under former coach Gregg Berhalter, has yet to make an appearance under Pochettino after recovering from shoulder surgery last fall. In Balogun’s absence, Pepi stepped up remarkably, scoring in Pochettino’s debut match in October and netting goals in both legs of the Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica in November.
As Pepi recovers, England-based players Josh Sargent and Haji Wright are likely candidates to take his place in March, although both have recently returned from their own injuries. Other options for Pochettino include MLS strikers Patrick Agyemang and Brandon Vazquez.
At PSV, Pepi has primarily played as a substitute since joining the club at the start of the 2023-24 season. Despite this limited playing time, he has outperformed established striker Luuk de Jong, currently ranking second in the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot race with 11 goals in just 681 minutes of play.
On Wednesday, Pepi was rewarded for his consistent scoring by earning his first Champions League start of the season. He not only scored the game-winner just before halftime but also provided a clever assist for the opening goal against Liverpool, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Unfortunately, Pepi’s injury will also prevent him from participating in PSV’s upcoming two-leg Champions League playoff series against either Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord or Italian giants Juventus. If PSV advances to the quarterfinals in April, there is hope that Pepi could return to contribute to their European campaign. The club, which last lifted a European trophy in 1988, faced elimination in the round of 16 last year.
