The absence of star attacker Christian Pulisic from the U.S. Men’s National Team starting squad on Friday gave head coach Mauricio Pochettino plenty of options to consider against Australia.
Midfielders Gio Reyna, Alex Zendejas, and Sebastian Berhalter, and winger Tim Weah were all options tossed around earlier this week as potential replacements, but Pochettino went with striker Ricardo Pepi in Pulisic’s absence. Pepi started and played 74 minutes alongside Folarin Balogun in the USMNT’s 2-0 win over the Socceroos, giving the Americans a different look in a two-striker set up.
Although neither Balogun or Pepi found the back of the net in Seattle, Pochettino was pleased with his team’s tactical flexibility, which included his duo’s performances.
“What I saw [was] a team that really believe in what it is doing with different plans and with different approach,” Pochettino said postmatch in his press conference. “I think that capacity to adapt to the different demands of the game, and also our demand, like a coaching staff planning, different approach on the games. I think only I can say good and fantastic things about my players. They were fantastic.”
Pepi made his first-career World Cup start and second tournament appearance in the shutout win, both major milestones in his career. The 23-year-old has remained one of the top attacking weapons in Pochettino’s arsenal, close to four years after former head coach Gregg Berhalter did not select Pepi for the World Cup in Qatar.
After a third productive season in a row for Eredivisie champions PSV, Pepi is now aiming to translate that production over to the international level. Pochettino praised Pepi’s continued growth with the USMNT, as well as his connection with Balogun on Friday.
“Now working with us, I think he’s getting better and better every day,” Pochettino said about Pepi. “You see, he can play with another striker, he can play alone. He has an unbelievable capacity to create chances and score goals. Yes. Today, him and Flo, they made an unbelievable show for the team. We are so happy with both.”
The USMNT will now aim for a clean sweep in Group D play on Thursday, June 25 against Turkey.