USMNT Routs Peru 4-1 as Eleven Debutants Shine

Mauricio Pochettino opened the 2030 World Cup cycle with 11 first-time caps and a 4-1 win over Peru in Orlando, highlighted by teenage debutants scoring.

Playing its first match since the World Cup, the USMNT beat Peru 4-1 at Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Orlando City's Justin Ellis opened the scoring in the fourth minute, heading home a Gio Reyna free kick that he had helped win through an interchange with Malik Tillman. Peru equalized in the 14th minute when Yoshimar Yotun crossed for Gianluca Lapadula, who nodded past the defense despite Peyton Miller's challenge. The US went ahead from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after a foul on Zavier Gozo, which Tillman converted, and Julian Hall added a flying six-yard finish moments later before Sebastian Berhalter struck in the 90th minute.

Eleven players earned their first US caps, the most since 2024, when the same number debuted in a 1-0 friendly loss to Slovenia, according to The Guardian. The US record is a dozen first-time caps, set against Poland in 1973 and repeated against Guatemala 15 years later. Three debutants — Cavan Sullivan, Justin Ellis and New England Revolution defender Peyton Miller — started. Sullivan, 16, became the youngest player to feature for the national team in over two decades per The Guardian, and Yahoo Sports reports he was the second-youngest in US men's history to start his debut, playing 62 quality minutes. Sullivan called it 'a really special day' despite pregame nerves.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino is overseeing a four-year build toward the 2030 World Cup after having just 18 months to prepare for this summer's tournament, Yahoo Sports reports. He praised the entire newcomer group — including Mathis Albert, Brooklyn Raines, Adri Mehmeti, Neil Pierre, Frankie Westfield and goalkeeper Diego Kochen — saying all were 'fantastic' with 'different personality.' He credited senior players, notably Gio Reyna, who called Ellis 'a little brother' and promised him an assist before delivering it. Captain Tyler Adams, wearing the armband for the first time under Pochettino per The Guardian, said the friendly was an ideal low-stakes stage to introduce the youngsters.

The US stays in camp for three more friendlies: Chile on Tuesday in St. Louis, Mexico next Saturday in greater Phoenix, and Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, per Yahoo Sports. When competition turns serious in November with CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, absent veterans such as Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie will probably return. Pochettino acknowledged there will be ups and downs but said the window lets him expand his roster options, insisting the 4-1 scoreline mattered less than building connection and showing the country 'how exciting it is to see this team play.'