USMNT worldwide Ricardo Pepi has been noticed sporting a Netherlands shirt after his nation had been knocked out of the World Cup.
- The striker was snubbed for Qatar
- Performs membership soccer within the Netherlands
- Needed to put on Dutch shirt resulting from a wager
WHAT HAPPENED? On Saturday, any hope of World Cup glory got here to an finish for the Individuals as they misplaced 3-1 to Louis van Gaal’s crew within the final 16. Ricardo Pepi, who didn’t make the match squad, has since been seen in a Dutch nightclub on a video doing the rounds on social media sporting a Netherlands shirt after reportedly dropping a wager. The 19-year-old is at present primarily based within the Netherlands as he performs for Eredivisie outfit FC Groningen.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Pepi was not named to the 26-man squad to journey to Qatar, with forwards similar to Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright most well-liked as an alternative. On the time, supervisor Gregg Berhalter defined his resolution, saying: “The Dutch league, I feel it is an awesome league, but it surely does not convey the identical physicality that the Premier League or the Championship brings. That was one thing that went into the choice.”
WHAT NEXT FOR PEPI? Nonetheless solely 19 years of age, Pepi can be hoping to get again into the USMNT crew earlier than his nation co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.