United States Youngster's Set The Tone Against Peru

In the first post World Cup matches for the Us Men’s National Team, there were a lot of players getting their first call-ups on the men’s team. As a matter of fact 13 of the 28 players called up for the September friendlies were first time call-ups with 11 of them making their debuts. Even more impressive was the mark these young players made in this game, with goals from first time call-ups, including Orlando City's very own Justin Ellis, while Cavan Sullivan showed his ability to create space and make impacts throughout the game. Many people have to remember Cavan is only 16 years old playing professionally for Philadelphia Union and now getting his first cap on the USMNT.

In Mauricio Pochettino’s first match since signing his extension through the 2030 World Cup, he came with a 3-3-4 line up with Matt Freese making the start in goal having defenders Alex Freeman, Auston Trusty, George Campbell, and Yunus Musah in front of Freese. Midfield consisted of Cavan Sullivan, Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna and up top was Peyton Miller, Justin Ellis and Malik Tillman. The amount of youth and speed throughout the midfield and attack created a lot of pressure on the Peruvian team.

It wouldn’t take long for that attack to make its presence felt, just under 4 minutes to be exact, as a free kick from Gio Reyna from roughly 22 yards out would find a moving Justin Ellis who would head it in off the back post. This is something Orlando City has seen with Ellis finding a way into a space to create chances. For him to get a goal in his debut in the stadium he calls home had to have a special feeling for him.

Peru did a great job stopping a counterattack, and it quickly turned into an opportunity for Gianluca Lapadula. George Campbell lost the ball in a dangerous area while trying to move the ball forward, something he'll need to clean up moving forward. A nice volley from Yoshimar

Yotun made it so Lapadula was able to get his head to the ball and put it to the far side of the net, giving Matt Freese no real chance at getting it.

The US side didn’t let that stop them as they had a nice build up in the 20^th minute that saw a little shoving after the play.  Miller had a nice run towards the 18-yard box and sent the ball to Tillman who put it on mark but Gallese stopped the shot but the ball was still free at his feet. Sullivan tried to play it but multiple Peru players also convened on the ball causing a collision. A lot of heated talking and pushing by both sides as Gallese got checked out my team doctors. There was nothing intentional on the contact though as Sullivan was just trying to play the ball. The ref did a good job keeping the player collected and not having it escalate any further.

Right before half time Sullivan made a nice run found Miller who sent it to Adams, Adam’s shot would find a Peru defender who got his head to the ball and keep it 1-1 before half time.

Not many changes at half time for either side as USMNT’s only change was the goalies where Freese came out and Diego Kochen came in. It would be another youngster who would help the US get another goal as Mathis Albert would be taken down from behind just on the edge of the box, setting up a penalty kick. Peru was not happy about it arguing with the referee on the play to the point where two Peru players received a yellow card due to the ensuing arguments.

Malik Tillman would line up to take the penalty shot, and as we've seen him do from the free kick spots during the world cup, he would bury it lower left side just outside of a diving Gallese. Making it 2-1 US in the 67^th minute.

Another young player, Julian Hall, received a great ball from Sebastian Berhalter on the backside of the goal and made a good touch to put it into the back of the net, making it 3-1 USA.

One of the players who had a quiet but effective game since coming in to the game in the 61^st minute already had 1 assist in the game, added a goal in the 90^th minute when Berhalter would bury a rocket from distance making it 4-1 US. It was Berhalter’s 8^th goal for the USMNT. He arguably had one of his best games for the Men’s team in his career and looks like he is getting more comfortable and dangerous as he gets older. Just a few years ago he had thought about quitting soccer, especially after being left off the 2022 World Cup team.

In a 4-1 rout of Peru, USMNT played a sound game stifling the Peru attacks while making their pressure known all day. Something that they needed after that loss to Belgium in the round of 16 in the World Cup. With youngsters like Ellis, Sullivan getting mentorship from guys like Tillman and Adams offered an encouraging glimpse of what this young USMNT group could become.

Up next the USMNT heads to St. Louis to take on Chile on Tuesday before playing rivals Mexico in Arizona on Saturday and Canada in Minnesota on October 9th. All three of these  matches will allow the young team more time to gel and see who could potentially be on the roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals in November. There is freshness in the air with the youth takeover happening within USMNT, that will make the upcoming months fun to watch as a fan.