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For a time, El Paso's Ricardo Pepi was considered a likely starter for the United States Men's National Team in its Round of 16 match against Belgium, but that changed when FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension.
That likely means Pepi will start the match on the bench, as he did in the first match of the tournament and again in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was a second-half sub in both of those games.
More: Was Mexico eliminated from the World Cup? What comes next for Mexico
El Pasoan Alejandro Zendejas is also expected to begin the game on the bench as he looks to see action for the second time in this World Cup.
More: Pepi, Zendejas spark El Paso pride at US soccer watch party for World Cup
As expected, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas began the Round of 16 match against Belgium on the bench.
More: When is USA playing in the World Cup vs. Belgium in Round of 16 today?
The 23-year-old San Elizario native rose through the FC Dallas Academy after joining at 13 and made his senior debut at 16 in 2019. He spent three seasons as the club’s starting striker before moving to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, followed by a loan to FC Groningen in the Netherlands.
He signed with PSV Eindhoven in 2023 for $9.8 million and helped the club win the 2023–24 Eredivisie title, scoring 16 goals in 26 appearances this season.
Pepi was left off the U.S. roster for the 2022 World Cup, making this his first appearance in the tournament. He has one assist in three recent friendlies with the national team.
The 28-year-old Zendejas grew up on the West Side of El Paso, was born in Juárez and attended Hornedo Middle School when he was called up to the FC Dallas Academy as a 13-year-old in 2012.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS. He joined Guadalajara Chivas of Mexico's Liga MX in 2016 and played there for four years before joining Necaxa in 2020–2021.
He was at Club America the next year and has been there ever since.
Growing up, he played on both Mexican and American age-group national teams before making a full-time commitment to the USMNT in 2023.
In 12 matches for America this year, he had six goals and four assists. He subbed on in the friendly against Senegal on May 31, his only USMNT appearance in the recent three-match friendly window.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Will El Paso's Pepi, Zendejas see action in World Cup vs Belgium?
Continue reading...
That likely means Pepi will start the match on the bench, as he did in the first match of the tournament and again in the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was a second-half sub in both of those games.
More: Was Mexico eliminated from the World Cup? What comes next for Mexico
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El Pasoan Alejandro Zendejas is also expected to begin the game on the bench as he looks to see action for the second time in this World Cup.
More: Pepi, Zendejas spark El Paso pride at US soccer watch party for World Cup
Ricardo Pepi, Alejandro Zendejas to begin match as reserves
As expected, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas began the Round of 16 match against Belgium on the bench.
You must be registered for see images attach
More: When is USA playing in the World Cup vs. Belgium in Round of 16 today?
Ricardo Pepi US soccer player
The 23-year-old San Elizario native rose through the FC Dallas Academy after joining at 13 and made his senior debut at 16 in 2019. He spent three seasons as the club’s starting striker before moving to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, followed by a loan to FC Groningen in the Netherlands.
He signed with PSV Eindhoven in 2023 for $9.8 million and helped the club win the 2023–24 Eredivisie title, scoring 16 goals in 26 appearances this season.
Pepi was left off the U.S. roster for the 2022 World Cup, making this his first appearance in the tournament. He has one assist in three recent friendlies with the national team.
Alejandro Zendejas background
The 28-year-old Zendejas grew up on the West Side of El Paso, was born in Juárez and attended Hornedo Middle School when he was called up to the FC Dallas Academy as a 13-year-old in 2012.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS. He joined Guadalajara Chivas of Mexico's Liga MX in 2016 and played there for four years before joining Necaxa in 2020–2021.
He was at Club America the next year and has been there ever since.
Growing up, he played on both Mexican and American age-group national teams before making a full-time commitment to the USMNT in 2023.
You must be registered for see images
In 12 matches for America this year, he had six goals and four assists. He subbed on in the friendly against Senegal on May 31, his only USMNT appearance in the recent three-match friendly window.
He worked his way up to the senior club, and when he made his FC Dallas debut in 2015 at 17, he was the youngest player in MLS.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Will El Paso's Pepi, Zendejas see action in World Cup vs Belgium?
Continue reading...
