If you ask what’s the role of the number 9, the answer is simple, it’s to score ‘goals’. The choice for the no.9 spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT squad has been a hot topic, with PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi outshining the injured Folarin Balogun. This question now is, who should be the first-choice striker for the Stars and Stripes? 

After scoring in both legs of the quarterfinal win over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal, many critics are labeling Pepi as the obvious no.9 for the upcoming 2026 World Cup at home. Former USMNT goalkeeper, Tony Meola believes that Pepi should be the obvious choice for Mauricio Pochettino. 

“In the end, Balogun might be a better player, but I think right now if you’re Mauricio Pochettino, and your staff, and you have to put a game together in a month, and everybody’s healthy, Pepi is your guy right now,” said Meola on the ‘Call it What You Want’ podcast. Meola also mentions that with more game time, Pepi can become more clinical in front of goal. 

The goalkeeper was also vocal about how the no. 9s were underperforming for USMNT, so Pepi’s impact feels like a breath of fresh air for the team. “Yeah they have scored goals, but we haven’t had the guy that’s scoring goals consistently, I don’t know, is it gonna last, I don’t know but I’d hate to change it,” added Meola. 

Dropping the obvious choice for someone else is a bold move, but if we look at the 2022 World Cup, many questioned Fernando Santos’ decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo, in the end, it proved to be the right call, as Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat trick. With Pepi currently outperforming Balogun, Pochettino has a tough choice to make when the AS Monaco striker returns from injury. 

Pepi, Balogun or Sargent, Pochettino’s March dilemma 

With the international break long, the Argentine coach has plenty of time to decide on a forward. Under former coach Gregg Baerhalter, both Balogun and Pepi struggled during the 2024 Copa America, with the USMNT failing to make it past the group stages. Then there’s another option: Josh Sargent, who is likely to return in time for the Nations League semifinal. With plenty of options, the decision will ultimately come down to club-level performances. 

For now, Ricardo Pepi seems to be the obvious choice for Mauricio Pochettino. The 21-year-old has managed to get 6 goals and an assist in 11 matches for PSV Eindhoven. Folarin is not far behind, having scored 3 goals in 6 matches. Only time will tell if either of them leads the attack for Pochettino. Or perhaps, there will be a rise of a new generational talent in the ranks of USMNT.