The USMNT proved at the World Cup that it can defy stiffer challenges than Peru, but its victory at the weekend was nonetheless a statement of intent from Mauricio Pochettino’s youth-laden outfit.
There were 11 debutants in Orlando, including 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan, as Pochettino pivoted to the future at the very start of the 2030 World Cup cycle. His team ran out 4–1 victors against the plucky but talent-bereft Peruvians, who are in the midst of a major regeneration after missing out on back-to-back World Cups.
