GOAL takes a look at how several prominent American stars fared in the Dutch top-flight as the young striker is unveiled in Eindhoven
Ricardo Pepi is climbing the Eredivisie ladder. After a star-making season on loan with Groningen, the United States men's national team striker is now heading to one of the Dutch league's true giants, PSV. It's a massive move for the young striker, who will now leave Augsburg behind to join a PSV team that will play in the Champions League qualifiers next season after finishing second in the Eredivisie.
Pepi will know exactly what to expect from the Dutch top-flight. He did just score 13 goals for Groningen, after all. In a league that has long been hailed as an attacker's paradise, Pepi proved he can score on a team that suffered relegation. What will he now be able to do on one that is chasing titles?
The former FC Dallas star isn't the first American star to shine in the Eredivisie, a league that has, traditionally, been a good landing spot for USMNT talent. Legends like DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore all had fantastic spells in the league, while current USMNT regulars Sergino Dest and Luca de la Torre kickstarted their careers in the Netherlands. Even Gregg Berhalter, now returning as USMNT coach, had a productive spell in the Netherlands, which he discussed and length before playing Louis van Gaal's side at the World Cup last year.
And so after confirmation of Pepi's $11-million move, GOAL takes a look at the history of USMNT stars in the Netherlands:
Getty ImagesEarnie Stewart
U.S. Soccer's former sporting director and the man responsible for actually bringing Pepi to PSV. Stewart is currently PSV's director of football, but before his time as an executive, he was a standout star in the Eredivisie.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and U.S. Air Force airman father, Stewart starred for VVV-Venlo, Willem II and NAC Breda while earning 101 caps for the USMNT. His best season came in 1990-91, when he finished third in the Golden Boot race with 17 goals for Willem II.
Result? Hit.
AdvertisementGettyJozy Altidore
The striker certainly had his ups and downs in Europe, but AZ Alkmaar is truly where we saw the best version of Altidore. After several years of loans away from Villarreal, Altidore became a superstar with AZ, scoring 51 goals across two seasons in the Eredivisie. He also scored a game-winner against PSV in the Dutch Cup final, helping AZ lift the trophy for the first time in decades.
After his second season, he was sold to Sunderland in a move that ended up being a total disaster, but his time in the Netherlands is when Altidore truly became a star.
Result? Hit
Getty ImagesGregg Berhalter
Pepi's USMNT coach has a long history with the Netherlands. Berhalter played for Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden, making over 100 appearances during his time in the country. And he credits the Netherlands as the country where he truly learned about soccer, having arrived fresh out of college in 1994.
“I learned so much in Holland,” said Berhalter. “That was a great experience being there. After every game, you talk with people about the game. People love to discuss soccer and you really learn a lot. If I wasn’t in Holland, I don’t think I would have had that building that really helped shape my ideas.”
Result? Hit
GettyDaMarcus Beasley
Few Americans have reached a level as high as Beasley did at PSV. Signed by Guus Hiddink to replace Chelsea-bound Arjen Robben, he played 75 games over two seasons, scoring 15 goals as a winger, but the most memorable of those games came on the continent.
He was the first American to play in the Champions League semi-finals in 2005, when he started both games against AC Milan. PSV were eliminated thanks to the away goals rule, but Beasley's achievement would go unmatched by any other American for years.
Result? Hit