USMNT's Ricardo Pepi makes most of rare PSV start with a brace vs. Willem II

U.S. international Ricardo Pepi got his first start of the season and rewarded PSV manager Peter Bosz's faith in him with a brace in a 2-0 win over Willem II. Pepi now has three goals in the Eredivise this season while his club has kept its perfect start intact with seven wins out of their opening seven matches.

American Malik Tillman also started in the win while Richy Ledezma is out with a minor, undisclosed injury. Fellow CONCACAF star, Mexico's Hirving Lozano, remains out and U.S. star right back Sergino Dest continues to be sidelined with an ACL injury.

The timing couldn't be better for Pepi as the U.S. international call-ups under new men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino are expected by next weekend.

Pepi is fighting to earn more minutes and has been battling entrenched starter and veteran Luuk de Jong to do so. The 21-year-old will take heart in the fact he didn't disappoint in a rare start.

Since joining PSV, Pepi has scored 10 league goals and added two assists in 32 appearances.

Pepi and PSV have two matches ahead of the international break. They host Sporting on Oct. 1 and then face Sporting on Oct. 5.