'The most disrespected striker the USMNT has had' - Herculez Gomez says Ricardo Pepi must build on Champions League showing for PSV

Gomez noted that with minutes limited as he returns from injury, Pepi must make every opportunity count - pressing, moving, and finishing decisively to convince manager Peter Bosz he deserves more playing time.

“Ricardo Pepi’s problem is that when he’s on the field, he has to make an impact," Gomez said on the Futbol Americas podcast. "He’s got to ask question of players so Peter Boscz says, ‘OK, I have to get him on the field now because he is fit now’.

“And if Peter Boscz is getting him on the field and he is fit, he is putting the ball in the back of the net. He’s proven it for every club he’s been to…and with the USMNT. When he comes off the bench, when he starts that’s who he has been.”

Gomez highlighted the competitive reality awaiting Pepi under USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, with forwards like Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright producing strong club form. 

“If you’re Ricardo Pepi, that’s who you need to continue to be,” Gomez said. “Whatever you need to do to get the eye of Mauricio Pochettino because in this time, he’s got a shiny new toy in Folarin Balogun. In this time, Haji Wright is scoring goals. This is Ricardo Pepi, he’s probably the most disrespected striker the USMNT has had in the last four or five years.

“Because he scores goals, because he’s there for multiple coaches and something always happens, something always happens. Gregg Berhalter doesn’t take him to the World Cup, he gets injured with this coach, he comes back from injury and scores a few goals, he leaves for the national team for quite some time, doesn’t come back. Now he has got an opportunity, there are other players performing, [but] it’s well within his reach and well within his power.”

The 22-year-old has struggled for minutes while regaining fitness, yet he’s produced three goals in 363 minutes across nine matches, including two contributions in as many Champions League outings.

Pepi and PSV face an early title clash against league-leading Feyenoord on Sunday. If he remains healthy, he could be a call up for Pochettino's November friendly squad.