The United States’ participation in the 2022 World Cup came to an end on Saturday after it was eliminated by the Netherlands in a 3-1 loss in the Round of 16.
After that defeat, a video of one of the USMNT’s young stars who didn’t make the roster, Ricardo Pepi, made the rounds.
In the video, Pepi was wearing a Netherlands shirt while dancing in a club in Groningen.
Mooi filmpje van Ricardo Pepi die in de binnenstad van Groningen op deze manier omgaat met het verlies van de VS. pic.twitter.com/T7KvCJSksA
— Stefan Bleeker (@StefanBleeker) December 3, 2022
Some initially wondered if this act was a shot taken at USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, who left Pepi off the USA roster for the World Cup. After all, the 19-year-old had expressed disappointment that he wasn’t selected for the tournament.
MORE: Breaking down why USA lost to Netherlands in World Cup Round of 16
“It’s disappointing because I felt like I gave myself the best opportunity to be in the World Cup roster,” Pepi said in an interview. “I felt like I had a chance but it was also not disappointing at the same time because I did my thing.
“I went out there, I played minutes and I scored goals so I’m really happy with that. At the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision that I can’t control.”
Pepi on not making the World Cup roster:
“Yeah you know. Disappointing. You know, I felt like I gave myself the best opportunities to be in the World Cup roster. I felt like I had a chance . . . At the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision that I can’t control.” #USMNT pic.twitter.com/Wf9PzesCKD
— 🇺🇸 USMNT vs Haters (@USMNTvsHaters) November 13, 2022
That said, it doesn’t appear that Pepi is holding any ill will toward the team. He may have simply lost a friendly wager with some of his club-level teammates at Gronigen in the Netherlands.
That would also explain why Pepi was keenly aware that he was on video and appeared to sheepishly don the jersey. It also would explain why many were chanting, “Pepi!” in the club as he danced with his hand on a pole.
DeCOURCY: USA picked wrong time to show its youth at 2022 World Cup
Pepi has been in good form at Groningen, as he scored six goals in nine matches before the World Cup break began. The United States could have used some of his scoring prowess, as its strikers totaled just two goals in four World Cup matches. The team in total scored three times.
Hits: 0
