Former United States striker Herculez Gomez has questioned what will truly define this USMNT generation and warned that Ricardo Pepi cannot consider himself safe for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking on ESPN, Gomez pointed to the program’s recent success against Mexico but challenged the group to prove it can deliver in the moments that matter most.
“If you take Mexico out, what’s the moment?” Gomez said, arguing that beating the U.S.’s biggest regional rival has become less of a measuring stick for this team than it once was.
Gomez stressed that the United States now needs a signature achievement in a major tournament, with the World Cup on the horizon, rather than relying on familiar wins in CONCACAF.
He also addressed Pepi’s situation up front, saying the forward’s place is far from guaranteed despite his standing in the current pool. Gomez said the competition for striker spots is real and that places for 2026 will have to be earned over time, not assumed.
Pepi has been in and around the national team picture as interest grows in how Mauricio Pochettino will shape his roster, but Gomez made clear that form and performance will decide who goes.
In the same discussion, Gomez referenced Christian Pulisic and the expectations placed on the USMNT’s top players, insisting that this group’s legacy will be defined by what it produces on the biggest stage — not only by regional dominance.
The message from Gomez was straightforward: Mexico results alone will not define this era, and no player — including Pepi — should view a World Cup ticket as secure.
