The U.S. men’s national soccer team returns to action Saturday with a friendly against Peru at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando. It’s the USMNT’s first match since its 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup knockout round of 16.
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There will be a familiar face to Orlando City SC fans on the U.S. roster. Lions rookie forward Justin Ellis was one of 13 newcomers named to the team by coach Mauricio Pochettino. Ellis, 19, could make his national team debut on his home pitch.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. The coincidence of the location for the national team’s return to the field was not lost on Ellis.
“When I found out the first friendly was going to be in Orlando, way before they even sent out the call, I had it in the back of my mind like probably two or three months ago that I need to try my best to get onto this roster,” Ellis said. “To play my first ever game for my country as a debut in Orlando, the place that’s given me everything, that gave me the chance. That would just be the best day of my life if I play in that game, and it would be incredible.”
Ellis earned his first call-up for a four-match window against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. The native of Wellington in Palm Beach County came through Orlando City’s academy and signed a homegrown contract in February. He leads the Lions with 11 assists in all competitions. He has 10 in MLS play. The league’s single-season record for assists by a teenager has already been broken this season by Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan. The 16-year-old eclipsed Alphonso Davies’ mark of 11 set in 2018 and sits at 12 helpers.
Sullivan and Ellis are now teammates. Ellis’ excitement about his promotion to the team has been building since he got the news Sept. 17.
“I was right next to my dad when it happened,” Ellis said. “I got the email, and then my heart; I don’t know if it skipped a beat or caught on fire for a second, I don’t know what happened.
“And then I showed my dad. He just gave me a hug, and then my mom gave me a hug. I just thanked God. It was just a dream come true.”
He has a real chance to play, with the U.S. opting for youth over experience in this window. Pochettino left players like Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun off the roster, and Ricardo Pepi withdrew because of an injury last weekend. Damion Downs, Pepi’s replacement, is the only forward on the roster with a senior cap (national team appearance).
Former Orlando City right back Alex Freeman is also on the squad. The 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year moved to Villarreal in Spain’s La Liga in January and scored against Australia at the World Cup.
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“He’s one of the few people in football I’d consider family,” continued Ellis. “Being able to reunite with ‘Free’ and also play with him will be another dream come true.”
Other returnees for the U.S. from the 26-man World Cup roster: goalkeepers Matt Freese and Chris Brady; defenders Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson and Austin Trusty; and midfielders Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman.
Peru has three players with Orlando ties. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese spent six seasons with Orlando City. He left after 2025 holding the club’s goalkeeping records for minutes, saves, wins and shutouts. Midfielder Yoshimar Yotún played for Orlando in 2017 and 2018 and was an MLS All-Star in his second season. Midfielder Wilder Cartagena is still with Orlando City and has made 16 appearances this season.
Peru is ranked 50th in the world and did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Mano Menezes, a former Brazil coach, took over the team in January. The U.S. is 3-2-2 against Peru. The teams drew 1-1 in their last meeting in 2018.
The U.S. will next play Chile on Tuesday in St. Louis. The other upcoming friendlies: vs. Mexico next Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, and against Canada on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The schedule is all part of the push toward the CONCACAF Nations League. The U.S. will play the first leg on the road Nov. 14 and the second leg Nov. 17 in Cincinnati. The opponent will be determined next month.
The roster
Goalkeepers: Brady (Chicago), Freese (New York City), Diego Kochen (Lyngby), Brian Schwake (Nashville).
Defenders: George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion), Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Freeman, Peyton Miller (New England), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia), Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Trusty (Celtic), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia).
Midfielders: Adams (Bournemouth), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund), Berhalter (Middlesbrough), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace), Adri Mehmeti (New York Red Bulls), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Brooklyn Raines (New England), Reyna (Strasbourg), Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen).
Forwards: Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg), Ellis, Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Downs (St. Louis City SC), Sullivan.
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