The United States men’s national team put on an impressive display at Inter.co Stadium on Saturday, earning a commanding 4-1 victory over Peru in a game that saw several key young prospects earn playing time for the U.S.
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Orlando City had five representatives, both past and present, in the starting lineups. Justin Ellis and Alex Freeman started for the Americans, while Pedro Gallese, Wilder Cartagena, and Yoshimar Yotun started for Peru. Ellis and Cartagena are current starters for the Lions.
Ellis opened the scoring with a floated header in the fourth minute. He won the free kick on the left side of the field, and Gio Reyna took the kick. The ball was delivered right to Ellis, allowing him to arc the ball past Gallese to put the U.S. up 1-0.
“I think us young guys bring fresh energy,” Ellis said. “It’s a good vibe, and the senior players also help us a lot. Gio, me and him spent a lot of time together, and he was telling me last night before the game that he was going to assist me, and it ended up happening, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Peru made it 1-1 in the 15th minute with a goal from Gianluca Lapadula. Yotun chipped the ball into the box after a turnover from the U.S., and Lapadula got to it with a diving header past keeper Matt Freese.
Cartagena played 57 minutes for Peru, completing all 17 of his passes and making two key tackles defensively.
Ellis came off in the 62nd minute having left his mark on the game in his U.S. debut. He completed 18 of 21 passes and the one shot on target that earned him his first U.S. goal.
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“I play in the stadium often, but to play in the stadium for my national team is unbelievable,” added Ellis. “I was just thanking God a lot. It’s probably one of the best moments in my life.”
The U.S. earned a penalty in the 64th minute as Mathis Albert was brought down by Jesus Pretel just on the edge of the box. No VAR meant the call on the field was unable to be reviewed. Malik Tillman stepped up to take the penalty and smashed it into the left-hand side of the goal to take the 2-1 lead in the 66th minute.
Julian Hall made it 3-1 for the U.S. in the 72nd minute. Sebastian Berhalter crossed the ball in, and Hall was in the right place at the right time to poke it home for a goal in his debut.
Eleven players made their debut for the U.S. in the victory, one shy of the record of 12 set in a 1-0 victory over Poland in 1973 and matched again in a 1988 contest against Guatemala that also ended 1-0.
Berhalter added a goal of his own to put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute. He blasted a shot from outside the box that Gallese dove for but was unable to reach.
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Next up for the U.S. is a friendly with Chile in St. Louis on Tuesday.