Pochettino's USA youngsters shine in friendly win

  • Mauricio Pochettino's new-look United States team rallied in the second half to secure a 4-1 friendly win over Peru at Inter.co Stadium.

Gianluca Lapadula cancelled out Justin Ellis's early opener in the first half, but Malik Tillman, Julian Hall and Sebastian Berhalter all scored after the break to secure the victory.

It took less than four minutes for debutant Ellis to score on his home ground in Orlando on his debut, as he met Giovanni Reyna's left-sided free-kick with a glancing header that went in off the far post.

But Peru responded well to the setback and equalised within 11 minutes. Yoshimar Yotun looped a lovely cross into the far post, and Lapadula sent his header back across goal to restore parity.

Tillman had the chance to restore the USA's lead in the 20th minute after meeting Peyton Miller's delivery first-time, but Pedro Gallese was well-placed to thwart him.

Mathis Albert's introduction added a spark, and he won a penalty after cutting inside from the left, getting a shove right on the edge of the box in the 64th minute, although Peru believed the contact happened outside the box.

Tillman stepped up to guide his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, with Gallese unable to get a touch despite diving the right way.

Hall scored a debut goal of his own, getting between two defenders at the far post to tap in Berhalter's dangerous low cross from the right in the 72nd minute.

Berhalter then completed the goalscoring in the 90th minute with a stunning long-range finish that nestled into the top corner, giving Gallese no chance.