Ricardo Daniel Pepi is an American striker who now plays for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas and the United States national team.
When Pepi was four years old, he began playing recreational soccer in local El Paso leagues.
He began playing competitive organized soccer for a club coached by his father, Daniel Pepi, not long after.
Pepi was noticed following the Copa Chivas event in 2016. The club was shortly linked with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas, who offered the then 13-year-old to join the FC Dallas junior program.
In his debut season, Pepi was assigned to the under-13 team and scored 18 goals in only 15 games, propelling him up the club’s levels.
As a 15-year-old, he was quickly promoted to the under-17 team, where he scored 19 goals in eight games.
Pepi was born in the United States, and via his parents, he was eligible to play for both the United States and Mexico.
Ricardo Pepi Parents Nationality Explained: Where Is FC Dallas Striker From?
Pepi was born in El Paso and reared in San Elizario, Texas.
Pepi has Mexican lineage through his Mexican ancestors, and he visits his relatives in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
He has also previously attended training camps for the under-17 teams of the United States and Mexico.
Raphael Wicky named Pepi to the United States under-17 team for the CONCACAF U-17 Championship on April 22, 2019.
Pepi made his international debut against Panama on May 12 and then added a brace against Canada to help the US reach the final.
Pepi was re-inducted into the under-17 team in October 2019, this time for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Gregg Berhalter named Pepi to the United States team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying on August 26, 2021.
Pepi debuted for the United States on September 8, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal in a 4–1 away victory over Honduras.
His second goal of the game gave the Americans a 2–1 advantage.
He scored twice in his second encounter, a 2–0 qualifying win against Jamaica in Austin, Texas.
Who Are Ricardo Pepi Parents?
The parents of Ricardo Pepi are Daniel Pepi and Annette Pepi.
Ricardo’s father, Daniel, was his coach.
Pepi and both of his parents have a strong bond.
He frequently uploads photographs of himself with his mum and father on @Instagram.
Pepi wanted to wish his mother a happy Mother’s Day.
The mother and son duo looks to have a strong bond.