In their opening fixture of the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle, the United States men’s national team delivered a dominant 4-1 performance against Peru on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The match served as a debut platform for eleven players, with three—Justin Ellis, Zavier Gozo, and Justin Hall—finding the back of the net to secure the comprehensive win.
Among the newcomers was 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, whose selection in the starting lineup marks the youngest appearance for a US player in over two decades. Although Sullivan attracted significant media attention leading up to the game, it was Ellis who made the earliest impact for manager Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Ellis opened the scoring in the fourth minute, converting a header from a Gio Reyna free kick. The goal originated from a clever combination play with midfielder Malik Tillman, during which Ellis drew a foul approximately 25 yards from the goal, earning the set-piece opportunity. Reyna delivered a precise cross, and Ellis directed an awkward but perfectly placed finish toward the far post to give the Americans an early advantage.
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