Who is Ricardo Pepi? - The MLS star who chose Augsburg over Liverpool and Man Utd

Updated: 3 Jan 2022 15:04 GMT
5 min read

Ricardo Pepi playing for FC Dallas — © ProShots

The United States may not be at a level where it can compete with some of the best nations in world football, but they are slowly developing some outstanding talents.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest are several examples of USMNT players who are currently playing for the biggest clubs in Europe, and they've been joined on the continent by Ricardo Pepi.

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Many neutral fans won't have heard of Pepi, but he burst onto the scene with FC Dallas in 2021 and is already a key part of the national team set-up. Not only that, but Pepi will now be on centre stage in the Bundesliga in 2022.

He had plenty of suitors before landing on Augsburg, including Liverpool and Manchester United, so who exactly is Ricardo Pepi?

What position does Ricardo Pepi play in?

Pepi is a centre-forward, playing solely through the middle. He could perhaps be moulded into a different type of player depending on the manager, but his position as a No.9 is set.

How good is Ricardo Pepi?

Of course, the MLS isn't the greatest league in the world, and Pepi needs to test himself elsewhere in order to truly prove himself, but the early signs are that he's a very exciting talent.

He scored nine goals and assisted one in 12 USL1 games back in 2019, and although his debut MLS season was disappointing (two goals and one assist in 17 games), he was extremely young, and he's taken it up a notch since then.

In 31 MLS games during the 2021 season, Pepi netted 13 goals from an xG of just 9.7, while also grabbing two assists. That form earned him a national team call-up in September 2021, and in his first two caps, he scored three goals and assisted two to start life as a USMNT player in blistering fashion.

A physical presence despite his young age, Pepi provides a focal point at the top of the pitch, but he combines that with the speed, touch, and all-round play needed in a modern striker.

After his international debut, former Premier League star Clint Dempsey expressed his thoughts on Pepi on the Paramount+ postgame show. He said: "It’s his place to lose after what he did in such an important game. He basically played a part in all four goals. [He showed] no fear.

"He was never out of his depth … He’s the complete striker. He scores goals, works hard, holds up the ball and he’s just a problem to deal with … I’m excited about what this kid has in store for his future."

Former USMNT head coach Bob Bradley picked Pepi for the MLS All-Star game, and is also excited by his ability. "He's a talented young goal-scorer. He's got great instincts. He's got a lot of different ways to finish. He puts himself in really good positions and he's got a really good personality.

"He's a fun kid who loves being around the goal and loves trying to score. When we were talking about penalties, he was ready. And it shows in the way he moves and how he gets himself in position and some of the goals he scores."

Pepi is by no means the finished article, but he is already showing signs that he could go on to become a top level striker, competing in the Champions League. However, only time will tell.

What clubs are interested in Ricardo Pepi?

Plenty were interested in the young American as Pepi caught the eye of scouts from all across Europe, who were all alerted when he handed in a transfer request.

Wolfsburg reportedly agreed personal terms with Pepi, while Ajax were said to have met with his representatives.

As well as that pair, the likes of Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund were interested, while, according to CBS Sports sources, Sampdoria had a €7 million bid rejected for Pepi, with Dallas holding out for much more.

Manchester United and Liverpool were also heavily rumoured, with The Mirror reporting that both clubs have joined the race for the USMNT forward. As well as that, Brentford and Brighton, two Premier League clubs who typically operate smartly in the transfer market, were both sniffing around.

However, it was Augsburg who managed to land the forward, signing him for a reported €18m (£15m).

But, when it comes to the player's own ambitions no club can compete with Real Madrid. In an interview in 2021, the American star revealed that his main ambition is to one day play for the Spanish giants.

Ricardo Pepi to @90min_Football: "I always tell my parents, always tell my agent that my dream has always been playing for Real Madrid. Before I even retire I want to play a couple of years. I want to play at least three, four years in Real. It’s top of the world” ⚪️🇺🇸 #Real #MLS pic.twitter.com/FaZxCWB46q
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2021