FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas forward Ricardo Pepi was named MLS Player of the Week after becoming the youngest player to score a hat trick in league history after scoring three goals in the club's 4-0 win against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 24 at Toyota Stadium. Teammate Justin Che was also included in the MLS Team of the Week for the first time after a standout performance at right back that saw him record his first MLS assist.
Pepi stole the show by becoming the youngest player in MLS history to record a hat trick at 18 years and 196 days old. The El Paso native opened the scoring in the 27th minute after Andrés Ricaurte's pass deflected off the defender and fell into Pepi's path for him to finish confidently past the Galaxy's Jonathan Bond. Pepi added his second just before halftime with a close-range volley following Jesús Ferreira's corner kick. Five minutes after the break, Pepi made history when he collected the ball near the edge of LA's box and completed his hat trick with a low shot to the far post. His record-breaking performance earned Pepi his second MLS Team of the Week inclusion of the season.
Justin Che makes his first Team of the Week appearance after recording team highs in tackles (3), interceptions (3), possessions gained (8), crosses (3) and touches (73). The 17-year-old Homegrown also earned his first MLS assist after playing a pinpoint through-ball to Jáder Obrian who slotted home for FC Dallas' fourth and final goal of the night.
