USMNT striker heads home winning goal in crucial Champions League contest

PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night launched a furious comeback against 10-man Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League, more than keeping alive its hopes of qualifying for the competition’s knockout phase. After falling behind 2-0 at the start of the second half, PSV‘s Ismael Saibari pulled one back for the visitors before a Nemanja Gudelj own goal levelled the scores. But a United States striker’s head was required to finish off the rally — and put PSV on the preicipice of the last 16.

In the second minute of second-half stoppage time, Ricardo Pepi rose highest to meet Yorbe Vertessen‘s cross into the penalty area. He headed the ball confidently beyond goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic to give PSV the lead and the eventual 3-2 victory, taking the Dutch giants to eight points in the group stage and second in Group B.

A banner day for US stars abroad

Pepi‘s first goal of the group stage could not have come at a better time for his club — or for the player personally, as he is involved in a battle for minutes with Folarin Balogun leading the US national team‘s attack. But Wednesday was also a good day for Sergino Dest, the talented but inconsistent fullback spending this season on loan at PSV from FC Barcelona.

Dest assisted PSV’s opening goal on 68 minutes, curling a cross toward substitute Saibari to volley past Dmitrovic. The assist was the first of Dest‘s Champions League career, and his second in all competitions this season. It could help the full-back, capped 33 times for the USMNT, regain a foothold in coach Gregg Berhalter‘s plans — nine days after he was shown two yellow cards in 20 seconds in a win over Trinidad & Tobago.

“Captain America” caught playing a different kind of football

Pepi and PSV in the knockouts

PSV have won each of its 13 games in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, but the Champions League has provided a different kind of challenge. PSV failed to win any of its first three European games this season, but consecutive wins against Lens and Sevilla have put the Roodwitten into the round of 16 for the first time since 2016.

The progression to knockout-stage soccer will give Pepi a chance to demonstrate his ability against even-more prestigious opponents than seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla. The 20-year-old is yet to start in domestic or continental play this season as he continues to grow — but the winner in southern Spain on Wednesday could easily be a turning point in his career.