USA thrash Peru as teenage newcomers shine in first step toward 2030

The United States men's national team defeated Peru 4-1 in an international friendly at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday. Goals from debutants Justin Ellis, Zavier Gozo, and Justin Hall guided Mauricio Pochettino's squad to victory in their opening match of the 2030 World Cup cycle. Sixteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan made his senior national team debut, becoming the youngest player to appear for the USMNT in more than two decades.

Ellis opened the scoring in the fourth minute by heading in a free kick delivered by Gio Reyna. Peru equalized ten minutes later when Gianluca Lapadula nodded home a cross from Yoshimar Yotun. In total, 11 players earned their first senior caps for the United States, while Tyler Adams captained the team under Pochettino for the first time.