Damion Downs returns to USMNT as Ricardo Pepi injury replacement

A familiar face is back in the U.S. men’s national team picture, replacing an injured player on manager Mauricio Pochettino’s roster for matches in September and October.

Damion Downs will replace Ricardo Pepi in the squad to face Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada, U.S. Soccer announced Sunday, Sept. 20.

Pepi was substituted from PSV’s match against FC Twente less than 10 minutes in with an injury that will keep him from joining up with the Stars and Stripes.
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In his place, Pochettino brings in Downs, who was a key figure in the team’s run to the 2025 Gold Cup final. The German-born forward scored the final penalty in a shootout against Keylor Navas and Costa Rica, helping push the Americans into the semifinals.

He is yet to score in open play for the U.S. and also is still looking for his first goal since joining St. Louis City SC on loan from Southampton in early September. The 22-year-old has played in five matches for the red-hot MLS side, but only sparingly. He has 35 minutes of action across those five matches.

Downs will hope to give the U.S. a boost up top, competing for minutes with a young group of forwards including Orlando City‘s Justin Ellis and the New York Red Bulls‘ Julian Hall.

Pochettino opted not to call Folarin Balogun, who started for the U.S. at the World Cup, with the AS Monaco man still getting into rhythm after a summer transfer saga that saw a move to Everton come through. He also had a knock, though he made his season debut over the weekend for Monaco.

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April 25: The Chicago Fire’s Philip Zinckernagel (left) and Sporting Kansas City’s Kwaku Agyabeng battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 5-0.

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April 4: Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon reacts after a play against Austin FC during the second half at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Austin FC in the inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami.

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April 4: The Chicago Fire’s Maren Haile-Selassie (7) and Nashville SC’s Maxwell Woledzi battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 1-0.

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March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.

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March 1: Inter Miami’s German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2.

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Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo’s Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.

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Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.

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