Ricardo Daniel Pepi

FC Dallas Academy (2016-2019) - Relocated to the Dallas area to develop his skills in one of the premier youth academies in North America, rapidly ascending to a homegrown contract.

Coronado High School (2015-2016) - Attended high school in El Paso, Texas, before fully committing to his professional soccer development.

Ricardo Pepi's professional journey commenced when he signed a homegrown contract with FC Dallas in 2019, becoming the club's fourth-youngest academy signing at just 16 years old. He initially cut his teeth with North Texas SC, scoring a hat-trick on his professional debut and helping the team secure the USL League One title. By 2021, he had fully broken into the FC Dallas first team, earning the MLS Young Player of the Year award after an incredible 13-goal campaign.

His dominant MLS performances triggered a high-profile transfer to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg in January 2022, making him the most expensive American MLS player to sign for a European club at the time. After a challenging adaptation period in Germany, he secured a vital loan move to Dutch club FC Groningen for the 2022-2023 season. In the Eredivisie, Pepi rediscovered his lethal form, scoring 12 goals and proving he could consistently perform in European top-flight football.

In July 2023, Pepi joined Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven on a permanent transfer. He immediately embraced the club's attacking philosophy, contributing significantly to their dominant 2023-2024 Eredivisie title run. Over the next two seasons, Pepi's efficiency in front of goal remained spectacular. He helped PSV secure three consecutive league titles through the 2025-2026 season, consistently demonstrating his clutch finishing ability.

Internationally, Pepi was eligible for both the United States and Mexico but committed to the USMNT in 2021. He made a historic debut at 18, scoring against Honduras in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Despite his early heroics, he was narrowly omitted from the 2022 World Cup squad, a setback he used as immense motivation.

Pepi responded to the 2022 snub by becoming one of the national team's most reliable scorers, helping the U.S. win back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League titles. His blistering club form and tactical maturation secured his selection for the USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, marking a triumphant return to the global stage.

Ricardo Pepi was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, in a vibrant, bicultural household. His parents, Daniel and Annette Pepi, emigrated from Mexico, and the family home sits right on the Texas-Mexico border. Growing up, Pepi frequently crossed the border to play in youth leagues in Ciudad Juárez, an experience that deeply shaped his tough, physical playing style and his profound connection to both American and Mexican cultures.

Soccer is deeply ingrained in the Pepi family. His father coached his earliest club teams, and his younger brother, Ronaldo Pepi—named after the legendary Brazilian and Portuguese strikers—is also an aspiring professional soccer player. Pepi frequently cites his family's sacrifices as his primary motivation for pursuing greatness on the pitch.

Off the field, Pepi is known for his calm, composed demeanor, which directly translates to his cold-blooded finishing during matches. He maintains a quiet personal life, focusing almost entirely on his athletic development and spending time with his close-knit family. Heading into the 2026 World Cup, he embraces his role as an inspiration for Mexican-American youth athletes across the country.