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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Frontman making the most of minutes</li><li>Thought he had a treble against Zwolle</li><li>Last hat-trick came for Dallas in MLS</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

USMNT star Ricardo Pepi reacts to ‘crazy’ denial of historic hat-trick – with contentious call in huge PSV win preventing striker from claiming first match ball in Europe

<p>The 21-year-old striker left his homeland in January 2022 when completing a move from MLS outfit FC Dallas to Augsburg in the Bundesliga. From there, he has gone on to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/usmnt-ricardo-pepi-50-per-cent-groningen-goals-double-figures-eredivisie/blt7664d97c822d036e" target="_blank">spend time in the Netherlands with Groningen</a> before joining Eredivisie <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/how-psv-pulled-off-ricardo-pepi-transfer-golden-throne-stepping-stone-promise-usmnt-star/blt832564f254eb9f76" target="_blank">champions in Eindhoven on a permanent basis</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Pepi has had to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/can-t-continue-ricardo-pepi-s-agent-warns-psv-eindhoven-lack-playing-time-usmnt-copa-america-olympics/blt688b2b3a3bb98a5d" target="_blank">patient in pursuit of starting berths</a> in the Dutch top-flight, but has taken his goal tally in 2024-25 to five through 11 appearances. He was on target in a thumping 6-0 win over Zwolle that has maintained PSV’s perfect record through 10 league games this season.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Pepi netted twice inside an hour and thought that he had completed his treble – securing a first match ball since leaving the United States – when hitting the net again in the 71st minute. His <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-ricardo-pepi-brace-malik-tillman-goal-psv-cruise-past-pec-zwolle-eredivisie/blt8d74633ccf3cf76a#cs608c3161aeba9700" target="_blank">header deflected off goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar and went down as an own goal</a> – leaving Pepi to post on social media: “No hattrick is crazy!”</p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4694ae9d435cc36e/pepi%20hat%20trick.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4694ae9d435cc36e/pepi%20hat%20trick.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt4694ae9d435cc36e/pepi%20hat%20trick.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Ricardo Pepi no hat-trick" data-source="Instagram" data-copyright="Instagram" data-portal-copyright="Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt4694ae9d435cc36e;width:406;height:189"></picture>

WHAT PEPI SAID

<p>Pepi, who has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/hung-up-on-him-pepi-reaction-world-cup-snub-usmnt-berhalter/blt1825007208dd1dad" target="_blank">scored 11 goals through 31 appearances for the USMNT</a>, last netted a hat-trick in July 2021 during his days in Dallas – with those exploits coming against the LA Galaxy. He will hope that there are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ricardo-pepi-limited-role-psv-usmnt-scoring-winner-twente/blt411583016372b15d" target="_blank">many more opportunities to break his duck in Europe</a>, with his contract at PSV running until 2028.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

USMNT star Ricardo Pepi reacts to ‘crazy’ denial of historic hat-trick – with contentious call in huge PSV win preventing striker from claiming first match ball in Europe | Goal.com English Kuwait

USMNT ace Ricardo Pepi has reacted to the “crazy” call that denied him a first hat-trick in Europe, with the PSV striker forced to settle for a brace.