GOAL reviews key takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including Pepi's prolific performance, and Reyna's return
Ricardo Pepi is the big U.S. men's national team story. Period. When you're playing at this level and scoring goals at this volume, you earn the right to be the talk of the town. Every time he steps on the field, Pepi finds the back of the net – which is why those who follow the USMNT are so damn excited to see what happens next for the young striker.
Having scored in each of his last three USMNT appearances, Pepi's goals are coming in flurries on the club level, too. His hat-trick for PSV Saturday was the standout performance for USMNT stars abroad, and it was a game that very well could be the turning point in his club career. There's no denying him anymore, and that scoring spree made it abundantly clear.
Pepi wasn't expected to be the main attraction, of course. That was expected to be in Italy, not the Netherlands. Four of the USMNT's biggest stars collided in Serie A when Milan took on Juventus but, unfortunately, that game lacked the goal magic that Pepi provided to PSV.
There was no shortage of goals in Borussia Dortmund's win over Freiburg but, for American fans, all eyes were on a player that joined the fray off the bench late. Gio Reyna's return was a big moment, too, and the hope will be that he will build on his chance in the same way that Pepi has.
It was a wild weekend for USMNT stars, and GOAL looks at key takeaways from Americans Abroad.
Getty ImagesPepi's scoring spree continues
PSV have asked for patience when it comes to Ricardo Pepi. They have a veteran star in Luuk de Jong scoring at an alarming rate. Pepi will get his chance when the time is right.
Well, the time for patience is over. De Jong's status as the unquestioned starter should be over. Pepi's chance should begin right now. In fact, it probably should have begun months ago.
With his hat-trick against FC Groningen, Pepi showed that he might not just be the best striker on PSV; he may be the best striker in the Eredivisie. Despite starting just four games, Pepi now has nine goals, putting him atop the league's Golden Boot race. Imagine if PSV had actually been playing him. Imagine how much better this could be for everyone, besides De Jong, if Pepi was lighting the league up with starter minutes.
Either way, Pepi isn't long for PSV. If the club continues to play him, he seems destined to score his way into a major move. If the club doesn't, that move will probably come anyway. Other clubs are seeing what Pepi is doing, and there will be no shortage of them willing to bet on him translating his unfathomable strike rate into a new environment.
This seemed to be a turning point, one that can't be denied anymore. Pepi has scored for the USMNT, and continued to score for PSV. He is no longer a backup, and he likely shouldn't have been in the first place.
AdvertisementAFPWelcome back, Gio
Everyone knows how challenging things have been for Gio Reyna, at least on the club level. For the past several years, it seemed as if just about everything that could have gone wrong did. Injuries, a lack of minutes, a failed loan – Reyna hasn't gotten a break in a very long time.
Saturday's return wasn't one of those breaks, per se, but it was a much-needed return – one that saw Reyna play for the first time since August. To get those breaks, you need to actually play and, now healthy, maybe that can finally happen for the USMNT midfielder.
Reyna made his return in Dortmund's rout of Freiburg, completing a few passes to offer a brief glimpse at what he can do. He'd been nursing a groin injury for months but he looked relatively healthy in his substitute appearance, which is very good news. Without him, Dortmund have struggled a bit, which means that coach Nuri Sahin could use an injection of life to the team – an injection such as Reyna.
“We're happy that they're [injured players] back, that we can bring them on, that they're in training," Sahin said. "Gio trained brilliantly this week. It's important to get training minutes and, if possible, to get as many minutes as possible into the legs."
We'll see how it all goes down. Reyna hasn't gotten that opportunity since his debut season, having been unable to convince multiple coaches in the years since. Can things be different under Sahin? Could this injury return finally be the one that ends with a legitimate chance? We'll find out, but getting back on the field was the starting point he needed.
Getty ImagesSerie A snoozefest
Given the level of excitement, it was going to be hard to live up to the hype. Unless multiple Americans scored in AC Milan's clash with Juventus Saturday, someone was going to feel disappointed.
In fact, everyone felt pretty damn disappointed after watching Serie A's USMNT derby, which ended as a 0-0 draw. It was no spectacle, but rather a snoozefest, even with all of those Americans on the field.
Christian Pulisic was limited to the role of supersub due to the wear and tear of recent weeks, having returned to Italy after a pair of CONCACAF Nation's League wins over Jamaica for the USMNT. Fellow American Tim Weah only came off the bench, too, despite Juventus' lack of striker.
Both Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah started in different sorts of roles: McKennie was something of a false nine, and Musah was out wide. Neither really worked out, and neither got particularly close to scoring.
It was unfortunate, given the amount of eyes on that particular game. All four lit up Jamaica during the international break, but none could really make an impact in a Serie A match that lacked difference-makers.
Oh well. These two teams will meet again in January. Let's hope there's a more satisfying result.
Getty Images SportScally's milestone day
It's easy to forget that Joe Scally is only 21 years old. And yet on Sunday, Scally made his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach, a huge achievement for such a young layer.
This year has been huge for Scally, who has been finally handed a USMNT chance due to Sergino Dest's injury. He took his chance for Gladbach long ago and never looked back, making him one of the Bundesliga side's veterans at just 21.
Unfortunately for Scally, his milestone day was tainted by injury. Starting at his usual right-back spot, Scally was forced off in the first half with an apparent head injury.
Gladbach did fine without him, going on to win 2-0. Even so, if we've learned anything from his 100 league appearance, it's that Gladbach is better with Scally in the lineup, so they'll hope he gets back soon.