USMNT: Are you watching, Gregg Berhalter? Ricardo Pepi continues rapid scoring start in Holland
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Are you watching, Gregg Berhalter? Striker Ricardo Pepi continues his quick start in the Netherlands with two more goals for Groningen as he hits form for the World Cup
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Ricardo Pepi scored twice for Groningen on Friday night in a 3-2 defeat in Waalwijk in the Dutch Eredivisie, giving the American attacker four goals in his last three games.
Pepi gave the hosts the lead with a penalty 14 minutes into the game after Tomás Suslov had fouled Thierry Lutonda. Pepi sent his kick to the right of Etienne Vaessen when the goalkeeper dived to the left.
Dario Van den Buijs converted a penalty in the 38th after Radinio Balker was shown a red card for a foul on Roy Kuijpers and Mika Biereth gave Waalwijk the lead in the 61st.
Ricardo Pepi – pictured playing for Groningen in September – scored two for his team on Friday
Pepi tied the score 2-2 in the 76th with a right footed shot from close range on the penalty spot after exchanging passes with Florian Krüger on a throw-in.
Biereth got the deciding goal in the 80th.
Pepi, who hails from El Paso, Texas, was loaned to Groningen from Augsburg, Germany, and ended a scoreless run of 30 appearances for club and country – which lasted 345 days – on September 17.
He has scored three goals in 12 caps and will face the USMNT attack for the World Cup campaign next month.
Pepi seems to be taking shape with the World Cup in Qatar starting next month
The tournament starts for the USA on November 21 against Wales.
There is a blockbuster clash against England on November 25 before rounding out the group with another highly anticipated clash against Iran.
The US has no more warm-up matches for the tournament and lost 2-0 to Japan in the recent international match and drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia.