Jordan Pefok’s start at Union Berlin is everything U.S. men’s national team fans hoped it would be.
After scoring on his competitive debut in the DFB Pokal, and then scoring in his Bundesliga debut against city rivals Hertha Berlin, the USMNT striker did it again, producing a tidy run and finish to give Union a 35th minute opener against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Despite countering with just three men against five from Leipzig, Union sliced through the visitors. Janik Haberer passed from the left for Sheraldo Becker, and Pefok maintained his run, waiting for the final Leipzig defender to turn towards the ball. Once he committed, Becker slipped Pefok in, and before any retreating defender could interfere, the USMNT striker took two touches, got Janis Blaswich to lean to his left, and fired into the opposite corner to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Pefok then turned provider for Becker, who scored six minutes later to give Union a surprise 2-0 lead.
Jordan had been butchered by Orban, but he laid the ball off as he did to Becker who beat a man, cut inside, and finished inside the back post. #FCURBL | #fcunion | 2-0 | 40'
— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion_en) August 20, 2022
Pefok’s excellent start to the season comes after stepping up a level, having moved to Berlin from Young Boys in Switzerland. At the moment at least, he has to be among Gregg Berhalter’s top options for the final World Cup warm-up matches for the USMNT, which are against Japan and Saudi Arabia next month.
Watch Pefok’s latest Union Berlin goal
Ice cold finish by Jordan Pefok ❄️ pic.twitter.com/owm61qwF5x
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 20, 2022
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