"Throughout the season, ESPN will be monitoring the progress of the U.S. player pool, delivering insights into those whose form or fitness has made them particularly intriguing. We call it the USMNT's Countdown to the World Cup. ESPN will count down to June 11 every week so that way, when the U.S. team is announced for this highly anticipated World Cup on home soil, no names on that 26-man roster will come as a surprise."
"It was a week of highs and lows for Pepi. On Saturday, he made his long-awaited return to the PSV starting lineup, and made the most of his chance, scoring goals either side of halftime -- one with his right foot, another with his head -- to lead PSV to a 5-3 victory over NEC Nijmegen. On Tuesday against Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Champions League, he conceded a penalty in a 3-1 defeat."
The September international window concluded and U.S. men's national team players returned to their clubs to begin preparing for October's window. Players are using club moves to seek playing time, solidify starting roles, or regain form to compete for U.S. roster selection. ESPN will monitor the player pool throughout the season in a countdown to the 2026 World Cup, tracking form and fitness up to the June 11 roster announcement. Competition for attacking spots has intensified, with the No. 9 role wide open. Pepi reentered PSV's starting lineup, scoring twice in a 5-3 victory but later conceded a penalty in a 3-1 Champions League defeat.
Read at ESPN.com
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