Ricardo Pepi demoted?! USMNT star bizarrely named in starting line-up for PSV’s second team - less than a week after scoring vital winner in Champions League clash against Sevilla

The USMNT star has been sent down to the second team for their match against NAC Breda. It comes five days after Pepi netted the winner in the UEFA Champions League against Sevilla in stoppage-time - sending them through to the knockout round.

USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter will hope it's a request from Pepi to get more minutes and not an actual demotion. It would be a baffling move from PSV if true, because the USMNT striker is not only in good form, but has mentioned he is content with his current role in the team. Regardless, it's a move that sees him get starting minutes and a potential confidence booster as well.

Pepi grew up in the FC Dallas academy system in MLS. This summer, he joined PSV for €10m, and has linked up with USMNT stars Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman there as well.

PSV Jong (the Dutch club's second team) will finish out their game against NAC Breda before the first-team returns to action on Thursday against SC Heerenveen. Pepi and the USMNT, however, will not return to action until January with a friendly against Slovenia on the 20th.