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One of many prime gamers on the U.S. U-17 crew, Ricardo Pepi opened his scoring account on the CONCACAF Championships on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Panama. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke to the El Paso native about his rising confidence within the crew and his future for each membership and nation.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Might 14, 2019
1:55 AM
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RICARDO PEPI is likely one of the extra extremely regarded gamers on america U-17 nationwide crew and after a gradual begin on the CONCACAF Championships, the ahead from El Paso is constructing momentum heading into match’s last levels.
Pepi, was saved out of the scoring sheet in the course of the group levels and the spherical of 16 blowout win over Gaudeloupe. However on this match, crucial recreation is the quarterfinal as a result of that recreation alone determines whether or not or not groups qualify for the U-17 World Cup. In that pivotal recreation, america downed Panama 3-0 with Pepi scoring the ultimate aim.
GOAL Ricardo Pepi! The massive striker from El Paso lastly opens his account on this match. Saldana to Leyva within the middle circle, Leyva turns and performs a well-weighted ball behind to Pepi, who beats the keeper far submit. You like to see it. pic.twitter.com/iOg4R6vUKj
— Scuffed (@zlebmada) Might 12, 2019
Pepi’s aim was necessary, not as a result of it put the exclamation level on qualification, but additionally as a result of it bought its prime ahead concerned and assured heading into the semifinals and finals.
“It was just a goal to make sure we’re actually going to the World Cup,” Pepi instructed ASN. “I was pretty excited. I went from not scoring in two games and it gave me some confidence. It made me hungry to go for more goals.”
On Tuesday america will tackle Canada in a rematch of the opening group stage recreation. That recreation noticed the U.S. crew fall behind 0-2 earlier than rallying for 3 objectives early within the second half for a 3-2 win.
Up to now Canada has been the one crew to actually threaten the U.S. crew however Pepi is assured that the U.S. crew has solely improved since that recreation was basically the primary recreation underneath its head coach Raphael Wicky who was employed in March.
Wicky, who boasts World Cup expertise as participant and Champions League expertise as a supervisor, has a formidable resume at this stage and Pepi inspired with how he has guided the crew up to now.
“It was our first game together with the new coach against Canada and it was a good game actually. It wasn’t bad – the concepts were good,” Pepi mentioned of Wicky. “But throughout the tournament, I feel we’ve gotten better. We have better chemistry and we understand the plan a little bit more. Everybody is just on the same page. With Coach Wicky, I think we have the ability to have a good run at the World Cup. He’s a great coach.”
“It was a great feeling when he was hired,” Pepi added. “We went from having three camps all with different coaches and every camp you had to win a spot with the new coach. That was a little bit frustrating because with every coach we had to adapt. Once we settled in with coach Wicky, things have been going great.”
Wicky can also be impressed with Pepi’s maturity regardless of being one of many youngest gamers on the crew. Having solely turned 16 in early January, Pepi is barely 9 days shy of being eligible for the 2021 U-17 crew as effectively. The Swiss supervisor solely met Pepi for the primary time in April however already sees him as an necessary a part of the crew’s future.
“I only saw Ricardo in footage first and then I met him at the minicamp [in April],” Wicky mentioned. “I am very happy to have him in this team. Ricardo is a No. 9 who is really clinical in the box. He’s a finisher but he also has a certain size which brings a good aerial game. There is room for progress but at his age, I feel he is quite mature on the field. His decision making is actually quite mature for such a young kid….I am sure he is going to be very important for this team in this competition and further on as well.”
Ought to america advance previous Canada, it is going to open the chance it is going to face Mexico within the CONCACAF U-17 last – ought to Mexico advance previous Haiti in its semifinal on Tuesday.
For Pepi, that might be a particular alternative as he has private ties to Mexico as dad and mom immigrated to Texas from Mexico and like many Mexican- Individuals, he grew up cheering for El Tri. That allegiance, nonetheless, turned when he grew to become extra concerned with U.S. groups. He has really additionally performed for Mexican youth nationwide groups however felt it was the U.S. crew that trusted him with extra vital alternatives.
“It wasn’t a very easy decision,” Pepi mentioned of taking part in for both america or Mexico. “Both national teams wanted me but the U.S. took a step and called me up with older national teams and gave me this chance with the U-17’s. With Mexico, they started giving it to me when they saw I was playing with the U-17’s for the USA… It would mean a lot to me and my family. When I was younger, my friends and I all cheered for Mexico. But when I got called up to the U.S. team, they said to go with one I choose and they’ll support it. Now they’re all cheering for the United States.”
“It would mean a lot to me, to be honest,” Pepi added on a possible assembly with Mexico within the last. “It would give me a little bit more motivation to go play against them. Obviously, I am with the United States right now so I will give everything for the U.S. We’re playing against Mexico and I am Mexican too but everything is for the U.S.. Mexico was there for me but they didn’t give me the opportunities the U.S. did. They didn’t trust me enough to move me up a level and the U.S. did. It is just me showing them what I am capable of.”
When it comes to having necessary alternatives with america, it additionally may not be restricted this yr to the U-17 World Cup. On Friday, U.S. U-20 head coach Tab Ramos added that Pepi was one in every of three gamers on the U-17 crew who’s on the alternate record for his U-20 World Cup crew.
Ought to Pepi be called-up as an damage substitute he wouldn’t solely be taking part in up one cycle – however relatively two as his 2003 beginning yr has him eligible for the 2021 and 2023 U-20 World Cups.
“I am prepared for it,” Pepi mentioned of a possible callup to the 2019 U-20 World Cup. “I will be ready to step into that position and take advantage of it and obviously enjoy it – and do the best I can for the U-20 team. It would be a great opportunity. “
Most likely, Pepi will return to Texas next week to resume playing North Texas SC – the USL League One team of FC Dallas where he has scored four goals in his first two games with the club in its inaugural season. For him, he is hoping to be the next player in the FC Dallas youth movement which has seen many of its academy players earn first team minutes under new head coach Luchi Gonzalez and get call-ups to major youth international tournaments.
“It encourages me a lot because Luchi used to be my academy coach and now seeing him with the first team, that means a lot – both to him and to me,” Pepi defined. “He knows the type of player I am and the future I have. Seeing these young players with the first team, it gives me motivation to be there. It gives me believe there is a path for me.”
For now, nonetheless, the one factor that’s on Pepi’s thoughts is the U-17s and its recreation towards Canada. The stress is off a bit of bit, nonetheless, with qualification safe. Now with practically six months forward underneath Wicky, he sees the potential for an additional deep run for a U.S. nationwide crew.
“I think we have a great team,” Pepi mentioned. “It does give pressure because all the other U.S. teams have been doing well and we don’t want to be the one that screws is up [laughs]. But we have a pretty good team and we’re confident with our coaches. We should have a good run.”
Author : usa-foot
Publish date : 2025-01-24 13:17:49
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