A teenager-heavy United States men's national team opened the post-2026 World Cup cycle with a 4–1 friendly win over Peru at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, offering fans a glimpse of the program's next generation.
Nineteen-year-old Justin Ellis headed home a looping effort in just the fourth minute of his senior debut — at his hometown club's stadium, no less, only six months after he was playing for Orlando City's second team in MLS Next Pro. Gianluca Lapadula equalized for Peru with a back-post header in the 15th minute, and the teams went into the break level at 1–1.
Second-half surge
The hosts pulled away after the hour. Malik Tillman converted a 67th-minute penalty after substitute Mathis Albert was fouled, then Julian Hall — who wears "Zakrzewski" on his shirt — scored his first senior goal in the 72nd minute off a Sebastian Berhalter cross. Berhalter then ripped home a long-range strike in the 90th to complete the scoring.
A changing of the guard
Coach Mauricio Pochettino handed debuts to 11 players — with George Campbell earning his second cap — and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan started, becoming the youngest USMNT starter since Freddy Adu. Twenty-year-old Diego Kochen debuted in goal at halftime, and nine of the 11 debutants currently play or once played in MLS.
The result was framed by FIFA rankings as No. 16 against No. 51, but the story was the changing of the guard after the Americans' World Cup last-16 exit to Belgium. Next up: Chile on September 29 in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3, and Canada on October 6, before November's CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
Sources:
USMNT vs Peru live updates: Score, goals, highlights, stats from U.S. men's soccer friendly (NBC Sports)
USMNT Dispatch Peru, But It Was More Than Just a Friendly (Howler Magazine)
Nineteen-year-old Justin Ellis headed home a looping effort in just the fourth minute of his senior debut — at his hometown club's stadium, no less, only six months after he was playing for Orlando City's second team in MLS Next Pro. Gianluca Lapadula equalized for Peru with a back-post header in the 15th minute, and the teams went into the break level at 1–1.
Second-half surge
The hosts pulled away after the hour. Malik Tillman converted a 67th-minute penalty after substitute Mathis Albert was fouled, then Julian Hall — who wears "Zakrzewski" on his shirt — scored his first senior goal in the 72nd minute off a Sebastian Berhalter cross. Berhalter then ripped home a long-range strike in the 90th to complete the scoring.
A changing of the guard
Coach Mauricio Pochettino handed debuts to 11 players — with George Campbell earning his second cap — and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan started, becoming the youngest USMNT starter since Freddy Adu. Twenty-year-old Diego Kochen debuted in goal at halftime, and nine of the 11 debutants currently play or once played in MLS.
The result was framed by FIFA rankings as No. 16 against No. 51, but the story was the changing of the guard after the Americans' World Cup last-16 exit to Belgium. Next up: Chile on September 29 in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3, and Canada on October 6, before November's CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
Sources:
USMNT vs Peru live updates: Score, goals, highlights, stats from U.S. men's soccer friendly (NBC Sports)
USMNT Dispatch Peru, But It Was More Than Just a Friendly (Howler Magazine)
