FRISCO, Texas - Despite only training once since his return from international duty, Ricardo Pepi wasted no time making his presence known by scoring a brace in FC Dallas' 4-0 win over OKC Energy in its second preseason match.
The scoring was opened by new signing Freddy Vargas after Bryan Acosta slipped him in behind OKC's defense and the young Venezuelan made no mistake, finishing into the bottom corner with a left-footed strike. The Energy nearly evened things up 12 minutes later from the penalty spot but goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer stepped up with a big save down to his left.
"Thanks to Oklahoma first of all to make the trip and play us," Luchi Gonzalez said after the game. "It's the first game against an outside opponent, we've done intrasquads (scrimmages) the last two weeks and it was nice to have a different stimulus and a different challenge. There were a lot of positive things, just to get on the ball, try shapes, try ideas, score some goals get some pressing and defending in as well. I liked different things in each period but certainly a lot more to work on and improve."
Dallas had to wait until the third period (the 90-minute match was played in three 30-minute intervals) to find its second goal which came via former University of Kentucky winger Kalil ElMedkhar. José MartÃnez found ElMedkhar was a lovely ball over-the-top and the 21-year-old cut inside and unleashed a quite spectacular curling effort into the top corner, giving OKC's 'keeper little chance.
Not to be outdone, substitute Pepi added the third goal of the day with a low finish after cleverly dancing between two Energy defenders. But the Homegrown forward wasn't done and earned his brace with a first-time, side-footed volley from close range off a pinpoint Thomas Roberts cross.
"It feels good, I think it's a good start for the season coming up," Pepi said on his performance. "I feel in good form and I just want to keep working hard. I came motivated, I came ready to fight for a spot and compete for the team so it feels good.
"My fitness feels pretty good, I went to Bayern (Munich) and the national team so I didn't really have an offseason but I feel like that helps me a lot especially in preseason."
The match kicks off a busy preseason period which sees FCD play two more games in the next seven days. Dallas hosts USL Championship side Austin Bold FC on Wednesday, March 24 before traveling south to face San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday, March 27.
