USA overpowers Peru 4-1 in friendly with debuting teens

3 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 26, 2026, 10:53 PM

Last updated Sep 26, 2026

USA overpowers Peru 4-1 in friendly with debuting teens
Summary

The US men’s national team defeated Peru 4-1 in a friendly match at Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday. Justin Ellis opened the scoring with a fourth-minute header from a Gio Reyna free kick. Peru equalized through Gianluca Lapadula in the 14th minute. The US regained the lead with a Malik Tillman penalty in the 65th minute after Zavier Gozo was fouled. Goals from Justin Hall and Sebastian Berhalter capped the scoring. Eleven US players made their debut, including 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, marking a new era as they begin their 2030 World Cup qualifying journey.

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By the Numbers
  • •USA scores four goals, including two from debuting players.
  • •Cavan Sullivan becomes the youngest US national team player in over 20 years.
  • •Gianluca Lapadula equalizes for Peru in the first half.
  • •Malik Tillman converts a penalty to put USA ahead.
  • •Next match for USA is against Chile on Tuesday.
Latest Updates
  • 10:53 PMYahoo Sports — Smells like teen spirit as US thrash Peru 4-1
  • 10:42 PMYahoo Sports — USA thrash Peru as teenage newcomers shine in first step toward 2030
  • 10:42 PMThe Guardian Sport — USA thrash Peru as teenage newcomers shine in first step toward 2030
What they're saying
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Eleven players make US debuts in Orlando Sullivan, 16, starts in youngest US appearance in years Ellis and Hall score as Pochettino’s new faces impress Playing in their first match of the 2030 World Cup cycle, the US men’s national team crushed Peru 4-1 in at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, riding goals from newcomers Justin Ellis, Zavier Gozo and Justin Hall to victory. The win marked the US debut of 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, whose appearance in the US starting XI makes him the youngest player to feature for the national team in over two decades. Sullivan received the lion’s share of the attention in the lead-up to Saturday’s match but it was Orlando City’s Ellis who stole the show early, nodding home a Gio Reyna free kick in the fourth minute to give the US an early lead. Playing in his home stadium, Ellis himself was involved in the build-up that led to the free kick, part of a nifty interchange with midfielder Malik Tillman that ended with Ellis drawing a foul at the near side of the pitch some 25 yards from goal. Reyna’s service was excellent; Ellis’ headed finish was awkward but perfectly-placed at the far post. Continue reading...

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Playing in their first match of the 2030 World Cup cycle, the US men’s national team crushed Peru 4-1 in at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, riding goals from newcomers Justin Ellis, Zavier Gozo and Justin Hall to victory. The win marked the US debut of 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, whose appearance in the US starting XI makes him the youngest player to feature for the national team in over two decades. Sullivan received the lion’s share of the attention in the lead-up to Saturday’s match but it was Orlando City’s Ellis who stole the show early, nodding home a Gio Reyna free kick in the fourth minute to give the US an early lead.

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Teenage debutants Justin Ellis and Julian Hall both scored as a youthful United States team defeated Peru 4-1 in a friendly international at Orlando on Saturday.Philadelphia Union's 16-year-old prodigy Cavan Sullivan and New England Revolution's 18-year-old Peyton Miller both started alongside 19-year-old Orlando City striker Ellis in a team showing seven changes to the side beaten 4-1 by Belgium in the World Cup's last 16 in July.

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