The United States Men’s National Team‘s El Pasoans, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas, close out Group D against Turkiye in a match where the US went in with considerable lineup uncertainty.
The Americans have nothing at stake as they have already won Group D and are locked into a spot in the round of 32 on July 1 against a third-place team (probably Bosnia and Herzegovina), so the USMNT lineup could change radically, and possibly favorably for Pepi, who started in the last match against Australia, and Zendejas, who has yet to play in this World Cup.
The team’s star winger and attacking midfielder, Christian Pulisic, is optimistic for a return from the injury that led to Pepi’s start against Australia, but at the same time, there is no rush to hurry him back from injury. Meanwhile, this match would seem an obvious time to get players like Zendejas their first taste of World Cup action.
Could Ricardo Pepi to get start against Turkiye?
Ricardo Pepi is widely projected to get his second consecutive start as a striker. The player he would replace in the starting lineup, star Christian Pulisic, hopes to return from an injury but likely won’t start as the US eyes getting him 100% healthy for its Round of 32 match.
Alejandro Zendejas still waiting for World Cup debut
Alejandro Zendejas, suiting up in his first World Cup, did not play in the first two group games against Paraguay and Australia. With players of questionable health or sitting on a yellow card unlikely to play in an essentially meaningless game, this should be his best opportunity to see action.
Ricardo Pepi featured in Fortune article
Pepi’s rise from humble beginnings to World Cup player was featured recently in an article on https://fortune.com and by reporter Preston Fore.
The article talked about the many sacrifices Pepi’s father, Daniel Pepi, and mother and Annette Pepi, made for him to achieve his dreams.
Ricardo Pepi US soccer player
The 23-year-old San Elizario native rose through the FC Dallas Academy after joining at 13 and made his senior debut at 16 in 2019. He spent three seasons as the club’s starting striker before moving to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, followed by a loan to FC Groningen in the Netherlands.
He signed with PSV Eindhoven in 2023 for $9.8 million and helped the club win the 2023–24 Eredivisie title, scoring 16 goals in 26 appearances this season.
Pepi was left off the U.S. roster for the 2022 World Cup, making this his first appearance in the tournament. He has one assist in three recent friendlies with the national team.
Alejandro Zendejas background
The 28-year-old Zendejas grew up on the West side of El Paso, was born in Juárez and attended Hornedo Middle School when he was called up to the FC Dallas Academy as a 13-year-old in 2012.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS. He joined Guadalajara Chivas of Mexico’s Liga MX in 2016 and played there for four years before joining Necaxa in 2020–2021.
He was at Club America the next year and has been there ever since.
Growing up, he played on both Mexican and American age-group national teams before making a full-time commitment to the USMNT in 2023.
In 12 matches for America this year, he had six goals and four assists. He subbed on in the friendly against Senegal on May 31, his only USMNT appearance in the recent three-match friendly window.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Will El Pasoans Pepi, Zendejas start for USA soccer roster vs. Turkey?
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
