Debutants shine as USMNT beats Peru in first post-World Cup match

The U.S. men’s national team opened its post–World Cup era with a 4-1 friendly win over Peru on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Playing its first match since the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT handed debuts to 11 players, with Justin Ellis and Julian Hall scoring for the U.S. Ellis, 19, netted four minutes in by redirecting a header from a Gio Reyna free kick. Gianluca Lapadula equalized for Peru, and the match was 1-1 at halftime. The U.S. surged in the second half: Malik Tillman converted a penalty, Hall scored on debut 11 minutes after coming on, and Sebastian Berhalter added a late long-range goal to complete the 4-1. The U.S. has games versus Chile, Mexico, and Canada next.