Ricardo Pepi’s Brace Leads USA to World Cup Qualifying Win over Jamaica

The excellent performances of Pepi and fellow 18-year-old, midfielder Yunus Musah, was the storyline after the USMNT’s much-needed win, pushing them at least temporarily atop the CONCACAF table with eight points. The future looks very, very bright for the young Americans.

But without Pepi’s excellent positioning and keen scoring touch—and some truly beautiful build-up play by the United States—that storyline instead easily could have been some very questionable officiating. 

Just 20 seconds into the game, Paul Arriola was played into empty space on the attack and appeared to be free on goal when he was clattered into by Jamaica’s Kemar Lawrence. It certainly looked to be denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity and should have resulted in a red card for Lawrence, though referee Reon Radix only brandished a yellow. 

Then again in the 33rd minute, Brenden Aaronson was fouled on the edge of the box by Damion Lowe, and again appeared to only have the goalkeeper between him and the net. And again, Radix opted only for the yellow. 

That CONCACAF doesn’t have VAR availability can at least be partially blamed for the poor decisions. Either way, the United States rightly will feel aggrieved that the game ended with all 11 Jamaica players on the pitch. 

Granted, it’s a moot point in a 2-0 win. And while Jamaica aren’t one of the top sides in CONCACAF, the United States winning this game fairly easily without Christian Pulisic or Gio Reyna available shouldn’t be ignored. 

The positives from Thursday were numerous. Weston McKinnie made his return and played well. Musah was a revelation. Sergino Dest was up to his wizarding weaving down the right flank, assisting the first goal. 

For the past few years, the talk around the USMNT after failing to qualify for the last World Cup has been the young talent waiting in the wings. At least on this night, those young players justified the hype.