LIVE BLOG: United States vs Peru | International Friendly

United States Rout Peru in Friendly as New USMNT Era Begins with New Faces Ahead of 2030 World Cup

The United States opened their new cycle toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup in emphatic fashion. The USMNT defeated Peru 4-1 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in Mauricio Pochettino's first match since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ELLIS AND HALL SCORE ON THEIR INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS

The night belonged to two young players making their international debuts. Justin Ellis, the 19-year-old Orlando City forward, put the United States ahead in the 4th minute with a header, after Gio Reyna's cross from a free kick on the left wig.

Gianluca Lapadula equalized for Peru in the 15 minute, but the United States took control after the break.

In the second half, Malik Tillman restored the Americans' lead from the controversial penalty spot in the 66th minute. Score: United States 2-1 Peru. 

Six minutes later, in the 72nd minute, Julian Hall also scored on his international debut to make it 3-1, arriving at the far post to finish off a superb cross from the right by Sebastian Berhalter.

Sebastian Berhalter completed the rout in the 90th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box for the final 4-1 scoreline.

Squad renewal was one of Pochettino's main objectives. For this international window, the head coach called up 28 players, including 13 with no previous international experience, 11 of whom made their senior debuts.

POCHETTINO BEGINS THE ROAD TO 2030

The victory represents the first step in the United States' new cycle toward 2030. The squad called up has an average age of just 22 years and eight months, more than four years younger than the group that competed at the 2026 World Cup.

Against Peru, the United States combined youth and experience, but it was the new faces who ultimately made the difference. Justin Ellis and Julian Hall scored on their respective debuts, while Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter also found the back of the net as part of the team's generational transition.

Of the 11 players who made their USMNT debuts, six started the match: Cavan Sullivan, Peyton Miller, Justin Ellis, Mathis Albert, Adri Mehmeti and Brooklyn Raines.

The other five came on as substitutes: Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall, Neil Pierre, Diego Kochen and Frankie Westfield.

The 4-1 victory in Orlando officially ushered in a new era for American soccer.

RELIVE THE MATH HERE, IN OUR LIVE BLOG

Welcome to our live blog of the international friendly between the United States and Peru during the September-October 2026 FIFA international window!

LINEUPS

UNITED STATES

Diego Kochen; Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Auston Trusty, Antonee Robinson; Adri Mehmeti, Mathis Albert; Zavier Gozo, Sebastian Berhalter, Gio Reyna and Justin Ellis.

PERU

Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Renzo Garcés, Miguel Araujo, Marcos López; Erick Noriega, Wilder Cartagena, Yoshimar Yotún; Gianluca Lapadula, Jairo Vélez and Jhonny Vidales.

USMNT DEBUTS

11 of the 13 newly called-up players made their USMNT debuts, with six starting the match: Cavan Sullivan, Peyton Miller, Justin Ellis, Mathis Albert, Adri Mehmeti and Brooklyn Raines.

The other five came on as substitutes: Zavier Gozo, Julian Hall, Neil Pierre, Diego Kochen and Frankie Westfield.

Ellis and Hall both scored on their international debuts.

KICKOFF!

A new era for the United States and Peru begins as both teams continue their journey toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The two sides meet at Inter&Co Stadium, formerly known as Exploria Stadium, in Orlando, Florida.

Score: First Half — United States 0-0 Peru

4' — ⚽ GOOOAL FOR THE UNITED STATES! JUSTIN ELLIS SCORES ON HIS DEBUT!

A dream start for 19-year-old Orlando City forward Justin Ellis, who scores his first international goal in his very first appearance for the United States.

Ellis rises to head the ball home after the Peru defense fails to deal with the danger. Gio Reyna delivers the cross, and the young forward makes the most of the opportunity given to him by Mauricio Pochettino.

Score: First Half — United States 1-0 Peru

14' — ⚽ GOAL FOR PERU! GIANLUCA LAPADULA!

La Bicolor responds with a header of its own as Gianluca Lapadula beats debutant Peyton Miller in the air to level the match just 10 minutes after the United States opened the scoring.

A superb cross from Yoshimar Yotún sets up the equalizer.

Score: First Half — United States 1-1 Peru

23' — 🟨 YELLOW CARD FOR THE UNITED STATES

Cavan Sullivan receives a yellow card after colliding with Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Score: First Half — United States 1-1 Peru

42' — 🟨 SECOND YELLOW CARD FOR THE UNITED STATES

Gio Reyna is also booked after committing a foul on Wilder Cartagena.

Score: First Half — United States 1-1 Peru

HALFTIME!

With one goal apiece and few clear-cut chances, the United States and Peru go into the break level at 1-1.

Score: Halftime — United States 1-1 Peru

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!

Both teams return to the field with changes on both sides as the United States and Peru look to break the deadlock.

Score: Second Half — United States 1-1 Peru

SUBSTITUTIONS

Mauricio Pochettino uses the second half to make changes and continue evaluating the young players called up for the new USMNT cycle.

49' — 🟨 PERU'S FIRST YELLOW CARD

Wilder Cartagena is shown a yellow card for a strong challenge.

Score: Second Half — United States 1-1 Peru

64' — ⚽ PENALTY TO THE UNITED STATES!

A controversial penalty decision by Jamaican referee Steffon Dewar goes in favor of the United States after a foul by Jesús Pretell on Mathis Albert that appeared to take place just outside the penalty area.

The call sparks protests and frustration from the Peruvian players.

Score: Second Half — United States 1-1 Peru

65' — 🟨 SECOND YELLOW CARD FOR PERU

Yoshimar Yotún is booked for protesting the penalty decision awarded to the United States.

Score: Second Half — United States 1-1 Peru

66' — ⚽ GOOOAL FOR THE UNITED STATES! MALIK TILLMAN!

Malik Tillman steps up from the penalty spot and sends Pedro Gallese the wrong way to restore the United States' lead.

Score: Second Half — United States 2-1 Peru

72' — ⚽ GOOOAL FOR THE UNITED STATES! JULIAN HALL!

Julian Hall makes it three for the United States!

After a dangerous cross from the right wing, the New York Red Bulls winger arrives at the far post and finishes from close range.

Another USMNT debutant scores on his international debut as the Americans extend their advantage.

Score: Second Half — United States 3-1 Peru

90' — ⚽ GOOOAL FOR THE UNITED STATES! SEBASTIAN BERHALTER!

Sebastian Berhalter completes the rout with a spectacular strike.

The Middlesbrough midfielder unleashes a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, beating the goalkeeper to make it 4-1.

A brilliant finish arrives just as Peru were pushing for a second goal.

Score: Second Half — United States 4-1 Peru

END OF THE MATCH!

The new era of the USMNT gets off to a flying start as the United States cruise to a 4-1 victory over Peru in Orlando.

Mauricio Pochettino used the match to give opportunities to a new generation of American players, with Justin Ellis and Julian Hall both scoring on their international debuts.

Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter also found the net as the United States produced an emphatic victory.

Final Score: United States 4-1 Peru

Thank you for joining our United States 4-1 Peru live blog, covering this international friendly during the September-October 2026 FIFA international window.

Stay with beIN SPORTS USA for this match and all the latest news from the world of football.

See you next time!

KEY POINTS

• The United States defeated Peru 4-1 in Orlando to begin its new cycle toward the 2030 World Cup with a win.
• Justin Ellis and Julian Hall scored on their USMNT debuts, while Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter completed the rout.
• Mauricio Pochettino focused on a younger generation, giving opportunities to several emerging U.S. players.

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