Title: Pepi Reflects on First Season at PSV: “Truly a Great Move” – ESPN
Ricardo Pepi is getting ready for his first Copa América with the United States, after spending a season as a backup striker at Peter Bosz’s successful PSV. Despite his role as a super sub, the American is happy with his move to Eindhoven. “It was a great move for me to come to PSV,” he tells ESPN. “Truly a great step. I had a good season at FC Groningen, but we got relegated, so I was left with a bad feeling. A year later, you’re suddenly a national champion. So now I feel exactly the opposite,” Pepi says.
The American striker has learned a lot during his first season in Eindhoven. “As a player, I have really grown. I am very excited and happy.” However, it was not always easy for Pepi to play second fiddle to Luuk de Jong. Speaking with US national team coach Gregg Berhalter reassured him. “I talked to Gregg about my situation and not getting as much game time as I would like. But he thinks I am in the right place. He sees PSV as a team that belongs in the top 25 in Europe. Gregg always tells me to be patient and that my chance will come.”
High expectations
With the United States national team, he will start the Copa América campaign on June 23 against Bolivia. There, he can showcase his developed game. The 21-year-old striker has high expectations for his team. “We have to go as far as possible. If we don’t make it out of the group stage, we have done poorly.” “We are not just here to participate in this tournament, but we want to compete with the best teams and get the best out of it,” the PSV striker continues.
The Americans are grouped in Group C at the Copa América and will face Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay in the first phase of the tournament. The US will need to finish in the top two to advance to the knockout stage. Pepi is looking forward to the challenge and is eager to make his mark in the competition.