Damion Downs replaces injured Ricardo Pepi for USMNT friendlies

By Field Level Media

Sep 21 (Field Level Media) – The United States men’s national team replaced injured striker Ricardo Pepi with Damion Downs on its roster for four upcoming friendlies.

Pepi was forced out after suffering an injury in the eighth minute of PSV Eindhoven’s 3-2 loss to FC Twente on Sunday. The 23-year-old had initially been named to coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-man squad for matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.

Downs, 22, will join the Americans at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Georgia.

The St. Louis City forward has made six appearances for the national team. He debuted against Switzerland in June 2025 and later converted the decisive penalty in the United States’ shootout victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of that year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Downs is on loan to St. Louis from English club Southampton. He previously helped FC Koln earn promotion to the Bundesliga during the 2024-25 season, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists.

His inclusion gives Pochettino another option in a young forward group that also includes Julian Hall, Justin Ellis, Cole Campbell and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan.

Downs could also play on his club’s home field when the United States hosts Chile at Energizer Park on Sept. 29.

The four-game stretch begins Saturday against Peru in Orlando, followed by Chile on Sept. 29 in St. Louis, Mexico on Oct. 3 in Glendale, Ariz. and Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minn.

(–Field Level Media)