It took time for the U.S. to get in the groove but they eventually got the goal they needed vs El Salvador, thanks to a delicious chip from El Tren.

While there were banners all around the stadium in honor of the U.S. men's national team's potential striker of the future, a player that once held that title proved that he still has plenty to say about the ongoing No. 9 race.

Ricardo Pepi came off the bench and, within two minutes, scored himself a game-winning goal, leading the U.S. to a 1-0 victory over El Salvador at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. With the win, the U.S. advance to the semifinals of the Nations League, where they will look to defend the crown they won in 2021.

That trophy came before the emergence of Pepi, who arrived on the scene later that fall. In the time since, he's gone from striker of the present and future to World Cup roster cut and, now, all the way back. Having scored three goals in two games this window, Pepi's confidence appears to be back, and that's good news for the USMNT even with the potential arrival of Folarin Balogun looming large.

GOAL rates the USMNT's players from Exploria Stadium…

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Matt Turner (7/10):

Had to make a few stops in this one, unlike against Grenada. El Salvador probably deserved a goal, but Turner made sure not to give them one as he kept the clean sheet.

Sergino Dest (6/10):

A little bit of a rocky start with Zendejas, but ultimately turned into a typical Dest performance. Got forward plenty and created in those half spaces, just like you'd want him to do.

Miles Robinson (9/10):

Probably the USMNT's best player on the night. It's easy to wonder what the USMNT could have looked like with him in Qatar. Just a fantastic performance from a player that looks like he's fully back.

Tim Ream (7/10):

Just so cool and confident. Stepped up to kill off several El Salvador chances and picked all the right spots to do so. As many have said since the World Cup, if only he was 10 years younger.

Antonee Robinson (6/10):

Several very good defensive sequences, especially in the first half. Solid, but not spectacular.

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Yunus Musah (6/10):

Shook off an early shoulder injury and stayed in the game. Was decent enough defensively and typically smooth on the ball.

Weston McKennie (7/10):

On the end of several chances form set pieces, including one he seemingly played across the box rather than putting on frame just before halftime. His big moment, though, was his assist to Pepi. A Pirlo-esque pass from the Leeds United star.

Gio Reyna (6/10):

Very similar to the game against Grenada, although he did have one great chance in this one. Was unlucky to see his shot strike the post in the second half, but still not involved as much as you'd like other than that.

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Christian Pulisic (6/10):

Nowhere near the level he was at against Grenada as his first touch let him down a few times early on. Set piece delivery was so-so yet again. Just wasn't really his night.

Daryl Dike (6/10):

Plenty of crosses in his direction, but few actually anywhere near him. Got the hometown welcome, but couldn't get the goal as he never really was on the end of a significant chance.

Alex Zendejas (6/10):

Grew into the game a little bit after initially struggling to play ahead of Dest. Got a little bit better as the game wore on and had one chipped chance in the second half, but wasn't anywhere near as dangerous as his first two caps.

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Brenden Aaronson (6/10):

Never quite impacted the game after replacing Zendejas.

Ricardo Pepi (8/10):

He was on the field for just over a minute before putting the ball into the back of the net. A fantastic finish from El Tren, who looks like the player that the USMNT fell in love with back in 2021.

Luca de la Torre (6/10):

Replaced Musah and kept things ticking. Should continue to push Musah for that third spot in midfield.

Taylor Booth (6/10):

Played some crosses that Dike would have loved to have seen in the first half. A good young player worth keeping an eye on if this camp was any indication.

Johnny Cardoso (N/A):
Came on in stoppage time. Hard to impact the game that late on.

Anthony Hudson (6/10):

Rotated a bunch and had something close to his A-team on the field for this one. The USMNT didn't always play like it, as they struggled to match El Salvador's intensity, but a win is a win.