Gregg Berhalter called Ricardo Pepi to inform him that he had not been selected for the World Cup
Roster and Pepi have admitted that he hung up on him. Pepi, a striker for Augsburg who is now out on loan to the Dutch team Groningen, had established himself as a major player in Berhalter’s USMNT setup by 2021, but his problems at the club level upon his move to Germany caused him to fall down the depth chart. Ultimately, the 19-year-old, who had turned down the opportunity to represent Mexico when he declared for the US, was chosen ahead of Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Jordan Morris.
Pepi admitted to the Kon Veel Minder podcast, “I recall the moment exactly.
I called the national team coach and he claimed I wasn’t on the roster so I just hung up the phone on him,” the caller added. When questioned if he had inquired as to why he wasn’t included in the 26-man group, the young guy added: “No, to be completely honest. It took me five minutes to process it in my mind because I was in shock. I simply could not believe it. I quickly dialed my agent, followed by my father. They believed I was amusing them. To be really honest, I was astonished by it.
The striker claims Berhalter has yet to provide an explanation for why Pepi was left off the squad “I wasn’t particularly interested in finding out that information. I didn’t want to rationalize anything to myself. The main justification for my decision not to inquire was that. I had the attitude of “I didn’t make it, better get to work.””
Pepi battled a lot for Augsburg, making 16 appearances after leaving FC Dallas for Germany on a $20 million transfer in January of last year. Since transferring to the Eredivisie, where he has seven goals in 10 games, he has regained his greatest form, and a summer transfer to the Premier League has already been mentioned. He is currently utilizing his dissatisfaction with the World Cup as motivation to pursue other ambitions.
Pepi claimed, “I gave myself the finest chance to give myself an opportunity. “I was obviously not on the roster, which made me even more hungry and motivated to support my position. It’s very significant to me. Every encounter serves as a motivating lesson for me.”
It is unclear what Pepi’s position will be going forward or whether he will be called up for the March Nations League games. In addition to dealing with the impact of the revelation of a “physical” confrontation that happened with his then-girlfriend and future wife Rosalind in 1991, Berhalter is currently without a contract.
In reaction to an alleged blackmail attempt during the World Cup in Qatar, such information was released. The parents of USMNT standout Giovanni Reyna, Danielle, and Claudio Reyna, have been identified as the individuals who brought the altercation to the federation. They have denied any efforts at extortion.
Anthony Hudson, an assistant, will lead the Americans at the camp in January. Earnie Stewart, the sporting director for U.S. Soccer, stated on Wednesday that Berhalter is still a candidate to lead the team in the future.
