Teenage debutants Ellis and Hall shine as USA rout Peru 4-1 in post-World Cup return

The United States men’s national team began life after the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Peru on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, with two teenage debutants stealing the headlines in a performance that offered Mauricio Pochettino plenty of encouragement.

Justin Ellis, 19, opened his international account by nodding a Gio Reyna free kick over goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and off the inside of the far post to restore the American lead after Peru’s first-half equaliser. Julian Hall also got on the scoresheet on debut, with veterans Malik Tillman and Sebastian adding the other two goals in a result that sets a positive tone for the long road toward the 2030 World Cup.

The most eye-catching individual performance, however, came from a player who did not score. Cavan Sullivan, two days shy of his 17th birthday, became the youngest player to appear for the United States since Freddy Adu more than 20 years ago and only the second youngest to start a match in the programme’s history, after Mike Slivinski in 1991. Deployed by Pochettino on the right wing — the same position in which he has been prolific for Philadelphia Union since MLS resumed after its World Cup break — Sullivan did not look overawed by the step up in class.

Despite the pace of international football, the 16-year-old moved the ball quickly and showed flashes of the quality that persuaded Manchester City to agree a deal with Philadelphia that will see him move to England when he turns 18 next year. He did pick up a yellow card following a collision with Gallese, though the caution from referee Steffon Dewar appeared harsh, with Sullivan seemingly pushed into the goalkeeper by one of his own defenders.

Sullivan was not the only teenager to impress on the flanks. Eighteen-year-old Peyton Miller, who has featured on the wing for New England Revolution this season, started at left back in the absence of the more experienced Antonee Robinson and showed the pace and directness to trouble Peru’s defence on multiple occasions, beating defenders to the end line before Robinson came on just after the hour.

Ellis’s opportunity up front came partly by circumstance — 2026 World Cup squad members Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright were either injured or only just returning to fitness ahead of this run of four domestic exhibitions — but the Orlando City forward made the most of his chance in front of his home crowd.

The result marks the United States’ first competitive outing since they were eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, and while Peru are not the sternest of tests, the depth of young talent on display suggests the programme’s foundations remain strong heading into the next cycle.