ATLANTA, UNITED STATES — Damion Downs has replaced injured PSV striker Ricardo Pepi in the USMNT squad, with Mauricio Pochettino preparing his team for four friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
The United States men's national team has made a late adjustment to its attacking options after Pepi was forced off during PSV Eindhoven's 3-2 defeat to FC Twente on Sunday, September 20.
U.S. Soccer confirmed that Downs, the 22-year-old forward currently playing for St. Louis CITY SC on loan from Southampton, would join the squad at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Georgia.
The federation announced the change on Sunday, a day before further reports appeared on September 21. Pepi's withdrawal leaves Pochettino without the 23-year-old striker for the opening four matches of the United States' new international cycle.
Downs, who has six senior international appearances, returns to the national team after helping the Americans reach the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. His inclusion maintains the squad at 28 players and adds another forward to a group featuring several emerging talents.
Why Ricardo Pepi withdrew after PSV's defeat to FC Twente
Pepi's international absence follows an injury sustained in the opening minutes of PSV's Eredivisie match against FC Twente.
The striker was substituted in the eighth minute of the 3-2 defeat, ending his involvement in the match and raising questions about his availability for the upcoming international window.
U.S. Soccer subsequently confirmed that he would not participate in the four friendlies. The federation did not specify the nature of his injury or provide a recovery timetable in its initial announcement.
That distinction matters for both PSV and the United States. Pepi's withdrawal establishes that he will miss the international matches, but it does not establish how long he will be unavailable for his club.
Reports on September 21 indicated that further medical assessment was still needed to establish the extent of the problem.
Pepi had been included in Pochettino's original 28-man selection, announced on September 17. His injury therefore required a change to the squad shortly before the players assembled for the first match against Peru.
The timing also means the coaching staff will have to prepare its attacking combinations without a forward who featured for the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Damion Downs returns after his 2025 Gold Cup contribution
Downs brings previous international experience despite being only 22.
The forward made his senior United States debut against Switzerland on June 10, 2025, and has since accumulated six appearances.
One of his most significant contributions came during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal against Costa Rica.
With the match decided by a penalty shootout, Downs converted the decisive attempt to send the United States into the semifinals. The Americans subsequently reached the tournament final.
His experience provides Pochettino with a player already familiar with the national-team environment and competitive international football.
Downs also arrives with a club career spanning Germany, England and the United States.
During the 2024-25 season, he registered 10 goals and five assists for FC Köln as the German club secured promotion to the Bundesliga.
He subsequently joined Southampton before moving to St. Louis CITY SC on loan.
His return to the national team therefore represents an opportunity to reconnect with the international setup while continuing his development in Major League Soccer.
The immediate question is how Pochettino will use him. Although Downs replaces Pepi on the roster, the substitution does not guarantee that he will start any of the four matches.
His minutes will depend on the coaching staff's selections and how the forward group performs during camp.
Pochettino's young USMNT squad begins a new World Cup cycle
The roster change comes during a period of transition for the United States following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Pochettino's original September selection included 13 uncapped players, reflecting an effort to evaluate emerging talent as the national team begins preparing for future international competitions.
Among the attacking players are Julian Hall, Justin Ellis, Cole Campbell and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan.
Sullivan's inclusion has attracted particular attention because of his age and performances for Philadelphia Union.
The squad also features players with experience at the recent World Cup, allowing the coaching staff to combine established international performers with younger prospects.
Downs fits into that broader selection approach. At 22, he has already experienced a major international tournament and a promotion campaign in European club football, while still having opportunities to develop his game.
Pepi's absence changes the available personnel, but it does not alter the wider purpose of the camp.
The four friendlies give Pochettino opportunities to observe how different players combine, assess attacking options and begin establishing a squad for the next competitive cycle.
The 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2030 FIFA World Cup are among the longer-term competitions ahead for the United States.
For Downs, the immediate objective will be to translate his previous international experience into performances during the upcoming matches.
St. Louis friendly offers Downs a potential home appearance
One notable feature of Downs' call-up is the location of the United States' second friendly.
The Americans are scheduled to face Chile at Energizer Park in St. Louis on September 29, giving Downs the possibility of representing his country at the stadium used by his current MLS club.
His inclusion also creates a local connection for supporters who have watched him play for St. Louis CITY SC.
According to MLSsoccer.com, Downs had made five substitute appearances for the club by the time of his international call-up.
The same report confirmed that the roster adjustment increased the number of MLS players in the United States squad to 13.
That provides a useful indication of the domestic league's representation in this international window, although the number alone does not establish how many MLS players will feature in the starting lineup.
The St. Louis match is particularly relevant to Downs because it offers the possibility of playing international football in a familiar environment.
However, his selection for the squad should not be confused with confirmation that he will appear against Chile. Pochettino has not guaranteed individual playing time.
USMNT schedule: Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada
The United States will play four friendlies across 11 days, beginning on September 26 and concluding on October 6.
The matches will take place in four U.S. cities and include meetings with two South American opponents and two CONCACAF rivals.
Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
September 26 | Peru | Orlando, Florida |
September 29 | Chile | St. Louis, Missouri |
October 3 | Mexico | Glendale, Arizona |
October 6 | Canada | St. Paul, Minnesota |
The schedule offers different competitive environments for the young squad.
Peru and Chile provide opportunities to face South American opposition, while Mexico and Canada are familiar regional rivals.
The match against Mexico will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The final fixture against Canada is scheduled for Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
For Pochettino, the sequence provides four opportunities to evaluate players within a relatively short period.
It also gives Downs a chance to compete for playing time before returning to his club.
Pepi's recovery remains an outstanding question for PSV and the United States
While Downs prepares to join the national team, Pepi's immediate focus shifts to his recovery.
The precise diagnosis and expected duration of his absence had not been established in the initial U.S. Soccer announcement.
That leaves two separate questions: when he might return to PSV's lineup and when he could next become available for the United States.
Neither can be answered reliably without further medical information or an official update.
For now, the confirmed international consequence is straightforward. Pepi will miss the four upcoming friendlies, and Downs has taken his place in Pochettino's 28-man squad.
The United States begins its next series of matches against Peru in Orlando on September 26, with the new forward group set to receive its first opportunity of the international window.