The USMNT beat Peru 4-1 in its first match after the 2025 World Cup, with Justin Ellis opening the scoring and Malik Tillman converting a second-half penalty before substitutes Julian Hall and Sebastian Berhalter added late goals. The squad included eight teenagers.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino called up 13 players who had never appeared for the USMNT. Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan started, becoming the team’s fourth-youngest starter, while 20-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen made his debut after replacing Matt Freese at halftime.
Seventeen-year-old substitute Mathis Albert drew the penalty that Tillman scored; Peru protested that the foul was just outside the box. The USMNT’s next match is a friendly against Chile in St. Louis on Sept. 29, followed by matches against Mexico on Oct. 3 and Canada on Oct. 6.
