Ricardo Pepi is not with the U.S. Men’s National Team for an upcoming quartet of home friendlies, but is beginning his injury recovery plan in Eindhoven.Pepi called his injury “a minor setback”, an injury that forced him to withdraw from USMNT duty this month. The 23-year-old forward was substituted off in the 10th minute on Sunday as Peter Bosz’s men suffered their first Eredivisie loss of the new campaign, a 3-2 defeat at FC Twente. “Thanks to everyone for the warm messages,” Pepi said in a club interview. “Unfortunately, this is just a minor setback. I have already started my recovery to be back as soon as possible and help the team.”Pepi has scored three goals in eight appearances for the reigning Dutch champions as he continues for No. 9 opportunities. The American forward was originally named in Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-player roster for upcoming friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada before his injury ruled him out. St. Louis CITY SC attacker Damion Downs was called in to replace Pepi while Julian Hall, Cole Campbell, Justin Ellis, and Cavan Sullivan are also named on the roster as forward options.Pepi started two matches for the USMNT at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but has not scored for the program since November 2024. There is no official timetable for Pepi’s return to action, but Bosz will hope to have him back when PSV resumes its schedule on October 9 against Heerenveen. PSV will have eight matches scattered across multiple competitions before the USMNT returns to competitive action during the November CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.