PSV hosted second division side FC Eindhoven on Wednesday in a derby preseason friendly, and 20-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, giving him two goals in two appearances since arriving from FC Augsburg on a five-year deal.
It was an emphatic finish from the Texan as he swept a right-footed effort inside the far post.
RICARDO PEPI (2003) OPENS THE SCORING IN THE LICHTSTAD DERBY!!!#USMNT
️ @PSVEindhovenBRpic.twitter.com/TJrLiyaEzn— Football Report (@FootballReprt) July 26, 2023
Pepi had previously scored on July 15 against Austrian side FC Blau-Weiß Linz.
Pepi goal pic.twitter.com/kmmKLumszK
— Pepi_Stan9 (@Pepi_Stan9) July 15, 2023
After scoring 12 goals in 29 appearances for FC Groningen last season, what's a reasonable expectation for Pepi this campaign?
PSV will be hoping for something like 15 to 20 following the departure of Xavi Simons, who scored 19 goals last season. But the club retained Luuk de Jong, who scored 14, and added winger Noa Lang to help shoulder the burden.
Pepi looks to be in outstanding form heading into August after scoring against Mexico in the Nations League semifinals and now this. Could he possibly make a play at 25 goals? Jozy Altidore almost reached that target during his final season at AZ Alkmaar, scoring 23 goals in 33 games, and that earned him a move to the Premier League.
Pepi will be looking to emulate Altidore this season, beginning Aug. 4 with the Johan Cruyff Shield against Feyenoord. PSV then has a massive fixture against a TBD opponent in the Champions League third qualifying round.
El Tren has a chance to make a name for himself early.
¡Gooooool de USA! ¡Goooooool de Pepi!
Estados Unidos 3-0 MéxicoEN VIVO: https://t.co/K3sG95qd0z
TUDN y Univision#FinalFourEnTUDN #VeranoDeCampeones #USA #Mexico pic.twitter.com/6FofL9hStw
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 16, 2023
