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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Pepi demotion questions raised</li><li>USMNT striker starts for second team</li><li>Scored UCL winner one week ago</li></ul>

Ricardo Pepi demoted?! USMNT star bizarrely named in starting line-up for PSV’s second team - less than a week after scoring vital winner in Champions League clash against Sevilla

<p>The USMNT star has been sent down to the second team for their match against NAC Breda. It comes five days after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ricardo-pepi-gets-done-champions-league-psv-dramatic-win-sevilla/bltcfd10447f4434e7c" target="_blank">Pepi netted the winner in the UEFA Champions League against Sevilla</a> in stoppage-time - sending them through to the knockout round.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤩🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JPSNAC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JPSNAC</a> <a href="https://t.co/JjQl7fnnvQ">pic.twitter.com/JjQl7fnnvQ</a></p>— PSV (@PSV) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSV/status/1731749280015151606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter will hope it's a request from Pepi to get more minutes and not an actual demotion. It would be a baffling move from PSV if true, because the USMNT striker is not only in good form, but has mentioned he is content with his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-ricardo-pepi-psv-champions-league/blt3f17fc1cba2f2828" target="_blank">current role in the team.</a> Regardless, it's a move that sees him get starting minutes and a potential confidence booster as well.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Pepi grew up in the FC Dallas academy system in MLS. This summer, he joined <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/usmnt-star-ricardo-pepi-agrees-eur10m-transfer-to-psv-from-augsburg/blt2610fadc464cc935" target="_blank">PSV for €10m,</a> and has linked up with USMNT stars Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman there as well.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>PSV Jong (the Dutch club's second team) will finish out their game against NAC Breda before the first-team returns to action on Thursday against SC Heerenveen. Pepi and the USMNT, however, will not return to action until January with a friendly against <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/christian-pulisic-usmnt-slovenia-2024/blt4ac42324b4594f2a" target="_blank">Slovenia on the 20th.</a></p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PEPI AND PSV?

Ricardo Pepi demoted?! USMNT star bizarrely named in starting line-up for PSV’s second team - less than a week after scoring vital winner in Champions League clash against Sevilla | Goal.com

USMNT star Ricardo Pepi started for the PSV second-team Monday, leaving many to question if he has been demoted despite his starring role a week ago.