FC Groningen striker Ricardo Pepe scored twice for the United States in the Nations League match against Grenada. The NFL players prevailed 7-1 in St. George. Midfielder Taylor Booth of FC Utrecht made his debut for ‘USA’ after just over an hour as a substitute.
Pepe opened the scoring in the fifth minute and also scored the sixth goal shortly after the break. Weston McKinney was also twice accurate for interim national coach Anthony Hudson’s team. Captain Christian Pulisic also played an important role, with a goal and two assists. Djorje Mihajlović, an Arizona midfielder who was later added to the roster, remained on the bench.
The Americans need to draw with El Salvador in Orlando on Monday to qualify for the final round of the CONCACAF Nations League, an association of nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The 20-year-old Pepe is Groningen’s top scorer in the Eredivisie, with nine goals. Groningen is in 17th place and is fighting against relegation.
European Championship qualification programme
European Championship qualifying standings
Qualification for the European Statistical Championship
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