USMNT x-factors: Pulisic, McKennie and Pepi must deliver at World Cup
USA TODAY Sports’ Jon Arnold and Seth Vertelney are joined by former USWNT player Lori Lindsey to break down pivotal players on the U.S. men’s team.
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The United States Men’s National Team’s El Pasoans, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas, will begin the Round of 32 knockout match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pepi started the last two group stage matches in place of Christian Pulisic, who was nursing a leg injury, but Pulisic has returned to full health and is expected to be starting in place of Pepi on what will obviously be a first-choice squad for U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Zendejas got his first World Cup action as a second-half substitute against Turkiye after not playing in the first two group-stage matches.
Ricardo Pepi subs on in 88th minute
El Pasoan Ricardo Pepi subbed on in the 88th minute for Christian Pulisic with the US protecting a 2-0 lead.
He did not have much of an opportunity to make an impact on the match.
Of note going forward, Folarin Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute and will not play against Belgium, which could mean a bigger role for another striker like Pepi.
Alejandro Zendejas remains on bench
Alejandro Zendejas remained on the bench through the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina and did not play.
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.
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.
