USMNT open road to 2030 World Cup with convincing win vs. Peru

By Ari Liljenwall

The US men's national team kicked off the September/October international window with a 4-1 friendly victory over Peru on Saturday at Orlando City's Inter.co Stadium.

Malik Tillman's second-half penalty proved the game-winner, while Orlando's Justin Ellis and Red Bull New York's Julian Hall each scored on their senior international debuts as Mauricio Pochettino's youthful squad opened the 2030 FIFA World Cup cycle with a victory on home soil.

The hosts struck just four minutes into the match through Ellis, as the Orlando homegrown marked his debut with a goal at his home stadium. Gio Reyna supplied the service from a free kick, bending a cross into the box for Ellis to flick a header into the far post.

After Peru equalized in the 15th minute through Gianluca Lapadula, the US broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Borussia Dortmund youngster Mathis Albert drew the foul shortly after entering the match, allowing Tillman to step up and convert the ensuing penalty.

Hall added the insurance tally just six minutes later. Sebastian Berhalter whipped a cross to the far post, where the 18-year-old striker met the delivery and finished from close range to make it 3-1 in the 72nd minute.

Berhalter then added the exclamation point in the 90th minute, unleashing a long-range strike that found the back of the net to complete the 4-1 scoreline.

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