Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando) — The United States men’s national team has officially embarked on its long journey toward the 2030 World Cup, kicking off the campaign with a convincing victory.
In the team’s first match since exiting the 2026 tournament in the round of 16 against Belgium, the Stars and Stripes secured a 4-1 victory over Peru on Saturday. The triumph, which took place at the home of MLS side Orlando City, featured goals from experienced players Malik Tillman and Sebastian, alongside impressive strikes from teenage debutants Justin Ellis and Julian Hall. This match marked the first of four crucial exhibitions scheduled over the next week and a half.
Here are the key takeaways from Saturday’s impressive performance.
Just two days shy of his 17th birthday, Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan made history by becoming the youngest player to represent the United States since Freddy Adu more than 20 years ago, and the second youngest to start a match since Mike Slivinski in 1991.
(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Deployed on the right wing by head coach Mauricio Pochettino — the same position where he has excelled for his hometown club since MLS resumed play in mid-July — Sullivan seamlessly adapted to the international stage. Despite the significant jump in the speed of play at this level, the 16-year-old was never physically overmatched. He delivered his passes with pace and occasionally showcased the elite skill that convinced Manchester City to secure a pre-agreement for his move overseas upon turning 18. He even earned a yellow card following a physical tangle with Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, though the caution from referee Steffon Dewar appeared dubious as Sullivan was fouled by his own defender before the collision.
“I am so happy with his performance,” Pochettino remarked post-match. “I feel really proud. A 16-year-old, performing and fighting and playing with personality, with character.”
It was a stellar debut, marking the first of many expected appearances for a talent poised to be a cornerstone of the U.S. soccer program for over a decade to come.
“It was a really special day for me, my family — it’s crazy that I represented my country at the highest level with the men’s national team,” Sullivan shared. “And the win is [the] most important [thing].”
Sullivan was not the only teenager to make his international debut for the Stars and Stripes on Saturday. With two-time World Cup veteran Antonee “Jedi” Robinson on the bench, 18-year-old Peyton Miller — who has played on the wing for the New England Revolution this season — returned to his usual spot at left back.
The fleet-footed Miller also delivered a strong performance, despite getting caught out of position on Peru’s first-half equalizer. His ability to stretch the opposition defense was evident as he repeatedly isolated defenders and drove the ball to the end line. (Jedi replaced Miller shortly after the hour mark.)
(Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Nineteen-year-old Justin Ellis also started at the venue where he plays his club soccer for Orlando City. This opportunity might not have arisen had 2026 World Cup roster members Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright been fully fit or recently returned from their club duties.
Ellis seized his chance brilliantly, expertly heading Gio Reyna’s free kick over Peruvian goalkeeper Gallese and onto the inside of the far post to give the Americans the lead less than four minutes into the match.
“Probably one of the best moments in my life,” Ellis said of his debut goal.
Seventeen-year-old Mathis Albert drew a penalty shortly after entering the game, which veteran Malik Tillman converted. Meanwhile, Julian Hall got on the end of a cross from fellow substitute Christian Berhalter just moments after stepping onto the pitch.
With 13 uncapped players and eight teenagers on the roster, the focus since the squad was announced on September 17 has naturally been on the newcomers. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup in Orlando was far from inexperienced, featuring World Cup veterans Gio Reyna, Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams — who wore the captain’s armband for the first time under Pochettino — Malik Tillman, and Auston Trusty.
“[The newcomers] were so comfortable on the field, but that is credit to the senior players because all the senior players were fantastic in the way that they welcomed and supported them, in the way that they guided them in the last few days,” Pochettino said.
These veterans are expected to continue playing prominent roles on the road to 2030. The same applies to Antonee Robinson and Christian Berhalter, as well as forwards Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, who are gradually returning to action with their respective clubs.
(Photo by Alex Menendez/USSF/Getty Images)
Equally important is the return of 23-year-old AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah, who made his first appearance for his country since early 2025. Musah started all four matches for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but missed the 2026 roster after skipping last year’s Gold Cup for personal reasons and subsequently struggling for playing time during a loan spell at Atalanta in the 2025-26 Italian Serie A season.
“It’s great to have him back,” Adams noted.
Pochettino noted on Friday that he would have preferred more training time and fewer than four matches during FIFA’s newly extended September/October international window, a schedule established before he signed his new four-year contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation in August.
(Photo by Alex Menendez/USSF/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, for American soccer fans — and particularly the millions of new supporters energized by the team’s thrilling run to the round of 16 over the summer — seeing the national team in action four times within 11 days is an invaluable opportunity outside of a major tournament.
The home team faces Chile next, another physically demanding South American opponent that failed to qualify for this year’s tournament. The international window will conclude with highly anticipated matches against Mexico next Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, and on October 6 against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“We need to [keep] our feet on the grass,” Pochettino emphasized. “For sure we are going to have ups and downs during that journey, and during the next few games. Because all the games are completely different.”
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