The debate over who should be the USMNT's starting striker will continue into 2022 despite Ricardo Pepi's recent heroics in front of goal. The 18-year-old was quiet on Saturday night in the national team's 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina (a match The18's David Moore likened to "cruel and unusual punishment"), and Gregg Berhalter will be closely monitoring the FC Dallas striker's competition abroad.
One name stood out on Sunday: Young Boys hitman Jordan Pefok, who scored four goals in his team's 5-0 away win over Lugano.
The 25-year-old American got his in the sixth, 21st, 49th and 61st minutes to move to 11 goals in 17 Super League appearances, joint-second most in the division behind Basel's Arthur Cabral (14). Don't forget that Pefok also scored against Manchester United and Atalanta in the Champions League.
Jordan Pefok 4 Goals Vs. Lugano
Siebatcheu trifft zur 1:0-Führung für YB in Lugano. #Bscyb pic.twitter.com/99cQdk3mAc
— Zum Runden Leder (@zumrundenleder) December 19, 2021
Siebatcheu erhöht auf 2:0 für YB in Lugano. Assist von Ngamaleu. #Bscyb. pic.twitter.com/VIgjCoBnfT
— Zum Runden Leder (@zumrundenleder) December 19, 2021
Siebatcheu erzielt das 4:0 für YB im Cornaredo - per Penalty nach Foul an Elia. #Bscyb pic.twitter.com/rnYhcRQhfc
— Zum Runden Leder (@zumrundenleder) December 19, 2021
Das 5:0 für YB in Lugano hinwiederum durch Siebatcheu. Grossartige Vorarbeit von Hefti. #Bscyb pic.twitter.com/L6OuVEtROB
— Zum Runden Leder (@zumrundenleder) December 19, 2021
Pefok has one goal in eight USMNT appearances — the game-winner against Honduras at the Nations League Finals.