MIAMI
\nSecond-half sub Ricardo Pepi needed almost no time to make his presence felt, delivering the game-winning goal in the United States\u2019 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Monday in the CONCACAF Nations League.
\nThe Netherlands-based striker, who scored twice in a starting role in the United States\u2019 7-1 thrashing of Grenada on Friday, came on in the 60th minute at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
\nHe\u2019d barely had a chance to touch the ball when Weston McKennie\u2019s crisp through ball found him in the area and he shook off defender Roberto Dominguez and lofted a shot over Salvadoran keeper Mario Gonzalez in the 62nd minute.
\nAlthough the defending champions needed only a point against El Salvador to assure themselves of a place in the final four of the Nations League in June, Pepi said the win at home mattered.
\n\u201cI think it was important for me personally and for the team,\u201d said the 20-year-old, who missed out on a place in the US World Cup squad last year.
\n\u201cIt was a roller coaster,\u201d he said. \u201cUp and down, not making it to the World Cup and now back with the squad. Happy to be back.\u201d
\nThe first half saw the United States struggle to create openings against El Salvador\u2019s suffocating defense.
\nEl Salvador threatened less than two minutes into the game, with Jairo Henriquez\u2019s shot from the edge of the box pushed wide by a diving Turner.
\nGio Reyna, playing his first match before home fans since he was engulfed in World Cup controversy, had one of the best first half efforts for the United States with a long range shot that Gonzalez tipped wide with his fingertips.
\nThe hosts opened the second half aggressively. Reyna hit the post in the 46th minute and seconds later Tim Ream went close with a volley.
\nPepi had a chance to double the lead in the 79th minute when Taylor Booth found him on the left side of the area, but his shot skimmed wide of Gonzalez\u2019s far post.
\nThe match was the United States\u2019 second competitive fixture under interim coach Anthony Hudson.
\nThe United States are trying to retain the Nations League title they won in 2021 with final victory over Mexico \u2013 who have also secured their place in the final four by finishing top of Group A.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MIAMI Second-half sub Ricardo Pepi needed almost no time to make his presence felt, delivering the game-winning goal in the United States\u2019 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Monday in the CONCACAF Nations League. The Netherlands-based striker, who scored twice in a starting role in the United States\u2019 7-1 thrashing of Grenada on Friday, came […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":322469,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-322451","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n