Goals from Weah, Pepi, and Pulisic Lead Team
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 9, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team kicked off the September international window with a 3-0 victory against Uzbekistan in front of 15,569 at CITYPark as head coach Gregg Berhalter returned to the helm of Team USA for the first time since he was re-hired this June. Forward Tim Weah got the USA on the board, while forward Ricardo Pepi scored a second-half stoppage time insurance goal, and forward Christian Pulisic added a penalty at the 90+4 minute to boost the USA to victory.
The USMNT returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 12 against Oman at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. (TNT, Universo, Peacock, FDP Radio). The pair of September friendlies provides a rare opportunity for the USA to challenge itself against competition from the Asian Football Confederation, which will qualify eight teams to the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Weston McKennie found his Juventus teammate Weah on the run into the box and he drilled a ball to the far back corner for the game’s opening goal in the fourth minute.The USA continued to threaten in the early going, teeing up a number of dangerous chances for center forward Folarin Balogun. The newly-transferred Monaco striker nearly added to the lead in the 16th minute as McKennie headed the ball across goal to Balogun and the forward narrowly struck it off the post.
The U.S. finally broke through on the attack again in second-half stoppage time, netting two late goals. In the first minute following regulation, Aaronson, a spark off the bench throughout the second half, played to Pepi at the top of the box, where the forward sent it to the left side of the net to double the U.S. lead.
Three minutes later, midfielder Malik Tillman was taken down in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Pulisic, making his 61st appearance for the USMNT, stepped up to take the penalty and drilled it to the left side to cap off the scoring with his 26th international goal and sixth career penalty for the U.S.
