Playing in their first match of the 2030 World Cup cycle, the US men’s national team crushed Peru 4-1 in at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, riding goals from newcomers Justin Ellis and Julian Hall to victory. The win marked the US debut of 16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, whose appearance in the US starting XI makes him the youngest player to feature for the national team in over two decades.
Sullivan received the lion’s share of the attention in the lead-up to Saturday’s match but it was Orlando City’s Ellis who stole the show early, nodding home a Gio Reyna free kick in the fourth minute to give the US an early lead. Playing in his home stadium, Ellis himself was involved in the build-up that led to the free kick, part of a nifty interchange with midfielder Malik Tillman that ended with Ellis drawing a foul at the near side of the pitch some 25 yards from goal. Reyna’s service was excellent; Ellis’ headed finish was awkward but perfectly-placed at the far post.
