The United States men’s national team opened their 2030 World Cup cycle with a 4-1 victory over Peru on Saturday at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium, driven by goals from newcomers Justin Ellis, Zavier Gozo, and Justin Hall alongside a debut by 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan.
Three of those debutants—Sullivan, Orlando City’s Ellis, and New England Revolution defender Peyton Miller—earned spots in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Bournemouth and 2022 World Cup captain Tyler Adams wore the captain’s armband for the first time during Pochettino’s two-year tenure.
Newcomers Steal the Show in Orlando
Ellis stole the spotlight early in his home stadium. In the fourth minute, he nodded home a free kick served by Gio Reyna to open the scoring. The sequence began when Ellis worked a slick interchange with midfielder Malik Tillman on the near side of the pitch, drawing a foul roughly 25 yards from goal. Reyna delivered a precise service, and Ellis finished at the far post.
Peru answered quickly in the 14th minute when Yoshimar Yotun crossed to Universitario forward Gianluca Lapadula just outside the six-yard box. Lapadula eluded Miller and headed past the American defense to equalize. Backed by strong support from the local community—given that 20% of Peruvian immigrants in the United States claim central and south Florida as their adopted home—La Blanquirroja attempted to generate offense through counterattacks under former Brazil head coach Mano Menezes. However, the visitors struggled to find chemistry and were badly out-possessed.
Sullivan’s Debut and Second-Half Surge
Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan drew immense pre-match attention, becoming the youngest player to feature for the USMNT in over two decades. The 16-year-old played 60 energetic minutes, combining well in attack and testing Peru’s backline before receiving his first yellow card in the 23rd minute after colliding with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
The US broke the tie in the second half. In the 65th minute, Crystal Palace attacker Zavier Gozo drew a foul on a run into the box, allowing Tillman to convert the resulting penalty kick coolly. Red Bull New York attacker Justin Hall, who has faced recruitment interest from both the US and Poland, quickly iced the match with a flying finish from six yards out. Middlesbrough midfielder Sebastian Berhalter capped the 4-1 scoreline with a 90th-minute goal.
The US squad now travels to St. Louis ahead of a Tuesday fixture against Chile at Energizer Park, followed by upcoming matches in Phoenix and Minneapolis against Mexico and Canada.
Keep reading
