Ricardo Pepi Labels Injury a ‘Minor Setback’ Following Early Exit Against FC Twente

Striker Ricardo Pepi lasted only eight minutes in PSV's Eredivisie match on Sunday before an injury forced his early withdrawal.

PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi described his recent injury as a "minor setback" on Tuesday, confirming he has already initiated his recovery process. The 23-year-old American international was forced off just eight minutes into PSV’s Dutch Eredivisie fixture against FC Twente on Sunday. After signaling to the bench and sinking to the turf, Pepi was unable to continue the match.

Following the injury, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino replaced Pepi in the 28-man national team squad with Damion Downs. The U.S. side is scheduled for four friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada during the September-October FIFA window. Pepi joins Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic as key World Cup forwards currently missing from the national team lineup, though Balogun recently appeared as a substitute for AS Monaco and Pulisic scored for Milan against Lecce.

PSV Eindhoven has not provided a specific timeline for the striker's return to the pitch. The club’s upcoming schedule includes a home match against Heerenveen on Oct. 9, followed by away fixtures against RB Leipzig, ADO Den Haag, and FC Porto. Pepi stated via the club website that he intends to return as soon as possible to assist his teammates.