[ad_1]
What a year 2021 was for the United States men’s national team, winning two trophies against Mexico and beating El Tri another time as Gregg Berhalter’s team has set itself up well in pursuit of World Cup 2022 qualification. While last year produced some memorable moments, it’s all now about getting better ahead of qualifying in Concacaf returning in January. And so far, the first days of the year have also been good to the red, white and blue.
Three young pieces of the USMNT have earned moves from Major League Soccer to Europe within the last few days. Strikers Ricardo Pepi and Darryl Dike, as well as midfielder James Sands, have all decided to cross the Atlantic to further their careers, with this being Dike’s second spell. The former Orlando City man had a successful loan spell at Championship side Barnsley and is back in the English second division once again.
Here’s a look at the moves, what they mean and a grade for each:
Ricardo Pepi, Augsburg
Previous club: FC Dallas
Type of move: Permanent transfer
Price: $20 million
Analysis: The most expensive American export from MLS to Europe in history. The 18-year-old star striker was courted by some of the world’s biggest clubs yet ended up at … Augsburg? Looking for minutes, a league where he can develop and a club that could be a stepping stone later on, nobody really saw this one coming. It looked like Wolfsburg were in the driver’s seat until they weren’t, and there came little Augsburg, fighting relegation by putting their money where their mouth is. For Pepi, there is no doubt it is a risk. The exposure won’t be there like it would be at a big club. He likely won’t get a taste of European competition until his next move, and he will probably have fewer opportunities to shine without Champions League and Europa League, while Augsburg are already out of the German Cup. He’s going to get those minutes this season, and if he shines,…
[ad_2]
Source : cbssports
