Ricardo Pepi has his sights set on scoring his first Augsburg goal against Borussia Dortmund; the club that provided his international teammates Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna with the same platform that the 19-year-old now hopes to shine on.

Pepi is the latest in a long line of young American talent that has sought the Bundesliga to amplify their development. Even after his own arrival from FC Dallas in January, fellow USA upstarts George Bello, Justin Che and Kevin Paredes each made the move to Germany.

They are all following in the footsteps of the likes of Pulisic, Reyna and Canada international Alphonso Davies, who have become household names thanks to their Bundesliga breakouts.

The legacy left by these players, Pepi says, is a pull to the German top-flight that is felt by every young footballer in North America.

Watch: Pepi and the NextGen USA players in the Bundesliga

"In America, every single player wants to come and play in the Bundesliga," he told media during an online roundtable interview. "It's a great league to be in. My teammates like Christian and Weston [McKennie], they played here, and they succeeded in this league so it's something that definitely caught my eye."

Pepi is now hoping to catch the eye himself and the 19-year-old striker has not only looked at his compatriots as examples to follow, but he also sought their advice before crossing the North Atlantic Ocean.

"I had talks with Weston, Christian and even Gio," he explained. "Those were players that helped me with this decision; to take an eye on the Bundesliga a bit. They said it was a good league, that it was one of the best leagues in the world and that I could get adapted to the league and that in a couple of years I could do well."

It's a good reminder straight from the horse's mouth that, for all his undeniable talent, it must be remembered that Pepi is a young player still coming to terms with life in a new country, learning a new language and adapting to a new league that demands so much.

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!

There's "a lot more running", defenders are "a lot more aggressive" and "everything is more dynamic, everything is more intense," according to Pepi. But the Texan feels he is already getting to grips with things, while improving with each passing training session and every Matchday that he plays.

He said: "I'm a young player moving from the MLS to the Bundesliga and that's a big step. I feel like I've got to be patient with myself, and I've got to work every day to become a better player and to be able to succeed in this league.

"I came to this team for a reason and that's for my development. Being in the team I feel more comfortable with every week that's passing by. Every day, every week, I'm adapting a little bit better and soon a goal will come. Hopefully soon I can start doing some damage to other teams and help my team out."

The next side Pepi is looking to hurt is Dortmund, the place that shaped Pulisic and Reyna into the players they are today.

Ricardo Pepi (l.) has already scored three times in just nine appearances for the USMNT. - Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Pepi's parents will be in the stadium at the WWK Arena for the first time on Sunday and, for all the correct calls for calm over the immediacy of his impact, it will give him even more incentive to find that first Augsburg goal as the Fuggerstädter look to aid their pull away from relegation with what would be a major scalp.

"Dortmund's a great team," said Pepi. "But anything is possible in the Bundesliga; anyone can beat anyone on any day.

"We're feeling confident, we're feeling ready and if I get the opportunity to come into the field or if I get to start, I'm going to be ready for my opportunity. My family's going to be in town so that's going to be a little different and hopefully we can get something while they're here."

About the clubs

FC Augsburg

WWK ARENA