Ricardo Pepi hails "great defender" Joe Scally as USMNT striker looks to the future
USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi had high praise for compatriot Joe Scally after the two briefly came face to face in Augsburg's 3-2 reverse at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.
Former FC Dallas star, Pepi, and the ex-New York City full back, Scally, both came on as substitutes as Gladbach earned a crucial three points to give themselves breathing space above the Bundesliga relegation zone, while dropping Augsburg deeper into trouble.
Pepi, who entered the fray in the 63rd minute with his side 2-1 behind at Borussia-Park, cut a frustrated figure after a game he believed the Bavarians deserved to take something from. "We were all over them in the last 10-15 minutes so it makes us a little mad because this defeat... we thought we could have won and we thought we could have done more, at least get a point," the 19-year-old explained. "It's a little bit sad for us."
Watch: Pepi: "We could have won"
Result aside, Pepi will have been happy to see Scally make a late appearance in the game as the former USMNT youth international continues his impressive breakout season in Europe. "He's a great player; he's a great defender, so I feel like he's developing as well as I am in the team," Pepi said of the Borussia full-back. "Hopefully in the future we can star for our team and we can make a big impact."
Pepi was part of the USMNT side that picked up a crucial three points with a 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory against Honduras in Minnesota this month. The result pushed Gregg Berhalter's Stars and Stripes up to second place on goal difference in the CONCACAF standings ahead of March's meeting with Mexico.
Watch: Pepi: "Scally's a great player"
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Prior to that, Pepi will look to build on his four appearances with an Augsburg side that currently sit third from bottom in the Bundesliga standings and face a crucial test against Freiburg next Saturday. Scally and Gladbach, meanwhile, go up against Borussia Dortmund the following day.
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