Teenagers Justin Ellis and Julian Hall scored with Malik Tillman as Pochettino handed 11 players their first senior caps in a dominant Orlando victory
Sep 26, 2026 at 6:42 pm ET – 1 min read
The United States men’s national team has launched a youth-driven era, securing a 4-1 victory over Peru in Orlando on Saturday. While 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan set a record as the second-youngest player ever to appear for the national team, it was teenagers Justin Ellis and Julian Hall who shone, netting goals with Malik Tillman to kick off the extended break on a positive note.
Having been eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 16, the USMNT can now turn a new page, and the future looks promising. With three teenagers in the starting lineup, they immediately demonstrated their suitability; Gio Reyna provided the assist for Ellis, an Orlando City player, in his home stadium for the opening goal. While the youthful side experienced typical growing pains—evident in Gianluca Lapadula’s goal for Peru following a defensive lapse—such instances were rare.
For the inaugural camp of a largely inexperienced squad, Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine manager, delivered a commendable performance, reinforcing his imprint on the national team by nurturing the next generation. Tillman, who has already elevated his play under Pochettino and was among the standout performers at the World Cup, continued his influence against Peru, contributing across all phases of the match, even if his goal resulted from a penalty. Yunus Musah also shone upon his return to the national team, completing 38 of 38 pass attempts after rejoining his Milan club. Eleven of the 13 uncapped players earned their first senior caps during the match, all appearing comfortable. Only Brian Schwake and Cole Campbell remain without a senior cap, though upcoming fixtures against Chile, Mexico, and Canada could provide them opportunities.
The blend of youth and experience paid dividends, as Sebastian Berhalter spearheaded the attack with a goal and an assist. The start to the September/October international break could hardly be more encouraging.
