If this match was anything to go by, the U.S. men's national team probably missed both Ricardo Pepi and Miles Robinson at the World Cup.
Both missed out on Qatar for different reasons: Robinson due to an Achilles injury and Pepi due to a total loss of form and confidence following a failed move to Augsburg. But both are now very much back in the picture, having put in incredible performances in the 1-0 win over El Salvador.
It served as a reminder of what many people already knew: that these two are over their terrible 2022 and back to the form that might them so vital just one year prior.
Both look to have big futures, both in 2023 in beyond, with both emerging as big winners from this match and this camp. On a night where the USMNT was slightly lethargic, both provided what was neccessary to see off a very game El Salvador team that, at times, looked ready to steal a result.
They ultimately didn't and, because of that, the USMNT are onto the Nations League semifinals. Will we see Pepi and Robinson there? Almost certainly. After some time away, both are right back in the mix.
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