The USMNT tried new players and a new generation against Peru. It’s safe to say that it paid off as the team obliterated the ‘Bicolor‘ 4-1 in this international friendly with wonderful goals from Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, among others. Mauricio Pochettino should be ecstatic for his team.
Mauricio Pochettino tried new faces and two of them scored debut goals for the USMNT in Justin Ellis and Julian Hall. The second half in particular was outstanding from the American team.
Peru is still developing a new project under Mano Menezes, but it showed this team has still ways to go. The Brazilian took charge in January 2026, but there is a crisis. The team lost focus quickly, couldn’t adapt to USA’s speed, and there’s a reason. The best three players from Peru are all 36 years of age in Pedro Gallese, Yoshimar Yotun, and Gianluca Lapadula.
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FT - The USMNT humilates Peru in Orlando (4-1)
It is all over. A pure spectacle for the fans in Orlando.
Peru has much to improve, the USMNT starts to see the new generation has all the tools necessary to succeed.
90' - GOAAAAAL BERHALTER TOP BINS! (4-1)
Berhalter strikes! A strong, top-corner rocket that goes past Gallese.
The cherry on top of a magnificent performance!
🎯😮💨 ¡¡¡QUÉ GOLAZO DE SEBASTIAN BERHALTER!!!
Tercer tanto con @USMNT en 19 juegos para el mediocampista, que firma el 4-1 ante Perú 🇵🇪
88' - Final stretch of the game favoring the Bars and Stripes (3-1)
It's been a wonderful second half for the USA.
83' - Peru scares the USMNT (3-1)
A long free kick cross goes untouched and it almost finds the back of the net. However, USMNT gets lucky.
79' - USMNT fully in control and attacking even more (3-1)
It's an absolute monologue now as we enter the final stretch. USMNT wants a fourth goal, Peru looks resigned and ready to leave the stadium.
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74' - Berhalter tries his luck from distance (3-1)
With all the momentum in their favor, the USMNT is taking chances. Berhalter launched a shot from outside the box but Pedro Gallese is able to save it.
71' - GOAAAAAL USMNT (3-1)
It's a landslide!
Julian Hall with a debut goal for the USMNT who is rolling right now! An unorthodox way of finishing but the USMNT will take it nevertheless.
After the penalty, Peru can't find its focus. Too many mistakes in the buildup and defense looks shaky.
66'- GOOOOAAAAAL TILLMAN FROM THE SPOT! (2-1)
Tillman sends the penalty shot to the right of Gallese. The goalkeeper actually guesses the direction of the shot but he was unable to reach it. It was too strong a shot!
Recently introduced Albert gets fouled by Pretell and the referee signs to the penalty spot.
Controversy as it seems the foul was outside of the box but the referee made a mistake. Now he is booking Yotun for complaining.
Brutal turn of events for Peru.
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56' - Plethora of Peruvian subs come in (1-1)
Lapadula, Magallanes, and Cartagena leave the game.
Jesus Pretell, Alex Valera, and Bassco Soyer enter the game.
52' - USMNT starts to move forward (1-1)
THe USMNT is trying to be more aggressive and step very close to Peru's box.
In fact, Tillman gets dropped in the box by Araujo but it was clean and the ref didn't buy the penalty.
49' - Teams measuring themselves (1-1)
After Matt Freese0s substitution, not much happened as both teams are trying to get back the intensity shown in the first half.
45' - Second half begins! (1-1)
The second 45 minutes of the game are rolling at Inter&Co. Stadium!
First half stats
These are the main stats after 45 minutes of play in Orlando:
Possession: USMNT 69% vs Peru 31%
Shots: USMNT 8 vs Peru 3
Shots on target: USMNT 2 vs Peru 2
Crosses: USMNT 2/3 (67%) vs Peru 2/5 (40%)
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45+3' - First half ends in a draw! (1-1)
The first 45 minutes have ended as the Orlando faithful see the players go into the locker room.
A very evenly matched first half.
42' Reyna gets booked with a yellow (1-1)
Reyna gets hit, but the ref doesn't signal it as a foul. He gets up and get retaliation but this time, the referee notices it and books him.
41' - Tillman to passive and misses a good chance (1-1)
Sullivan and Ellis make a great play and find Tillman inside the box. However, the Leverkusen forward was too slow and passive to shoot and ended up getting tackled by Peruvian defenders.
38' - What a blunder from Gallese! (1-1)
Gallese almost costs his team a goal after going outside the box and missing a pass, USMNT not able to put it away.
35' - Peru is controlling the possession (1-1)
It seems like the heat is taking its toll on the USMNT, as Peru seems fresher and have more control of the ball as of now.
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30' - Sonne almost scores! (1-1)
Peru is now creating longer possessions, and it ends up with a great cross with Sonne winning the header but it's a weak effort straight to Freese's hands.
27' - USMNT is playing elite first-touch soccer! (1-1)
With Gio Reyna as the main man in distribution, the USMNT is creating good plays around Peru's box. However, they haven't been able to shoot properly, though they are close as their first-touch soccer is opening spaces.
23' - Game resumes after Gallese's clash (1-1)
Peru's goalkeeper is finally ready to play after a gruesome collision. Game is back underway.
20' - What a save by Gallese! (1-1)
Huge dribble by Miller down the left flank who then crosses it back to the middle of the box and Tillman tries to finish it but Gallese makes an outstanding save with his legs and then is crushed by the knee of Sullivan. He is down now.
18' - Peru starts to put pressure on the USMNT (1-1)
Peru sends another dangerous cross to the box. This time, Lapadula is not able to reach the ball and Matt Freese grabs it to avoid any further danger.
However, now Peru's high-pressure is complicating the USMNT.
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14' - PERU TIES IT! GOOOOAAAAL FROM LAPADULA! (1-1)
A huge lapse of distracting defense from the USMNT allows Peru to build up, throw a very good cross and then Lapadula, with huge experience, heads it in as Freese is unable to save the shot.
It's all equal!
🔥 ¡GOOOOLAZO DE PERÚ! ¡LO EMPATÓ GIANLUCA LAPADULA! 🇵🇪
Ganó el salto y remató cruzado de cabeza para el 1-1 contra Estados Unidos 🇺🇸
13' - Peru tries to shock from long distance (1-0)
Peru tries to attack with long balls, but when the sole striker is a soon-to-be-37-year-old Lapadula, it's not easy.
However, Vidales tried his luck with a shot from outside the box but it goes wide.
7' - The USMNT controls the game (1-0)
After the early goal, the USMNT is calmly controlling the ball as Peru can't quite take it from the home side.
4' - GOOOOAAAAAAAL! USMNT TAKES AN EARLY LEAD! (1-0)
In just four minutes! Gio Reyna's cross from the free kick finds a big-time header from Justin Ellis who puts the ball in the far post! Impossible for Gallese to reach it!
The game begins with USMNT having the first possesion of the game!
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Teams enter the field!
The initial protocols are beginning as kick-off time nears!
USA and Peru's upcoming games
The USMNT will play with these nations very soon:
USMNT vs Chile - September 29
USMNT vs Mexico - October 3
USMNT vs Canada - October 6
Meanwhile, Peru will face off against the following opponents:
Mexico vs Peru - September 29
Canada vs Peru - October 3
Peru lineup confirmed
Mano Menezes' team will play 4-2-3-1: Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Miguel Araujo, Renzo Garces, Marcos Lopez; Wilder Cartagena, Yoshimar Yotun; Jhonny Vidales, Jairo Velez, Piero Magallanes; Gianluca Lapadula.
Big absentees for this game
Both the USMNT and Peru will have notable absentees from their squads.
USMNT absentees:
Christian Pulisic
Folarin Balogun
Weston McKennie
Ricardo Pepi
Peru absentees:
Fabio Gruber
Kenji Cabrera
USA lineup confirmed
Mauricio Pochettino will employ a 4-3-3 formation: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Auston Trusty, George Campbell, Peyton Miller; Cavan Sullivan, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams; Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Justin Ellis.
The USMNT record v Peru shows the two teams have played seven times previously, with the United States holding 3 wins, Peru 2 wins, and 2 draws.
The United States have scored eight goals, while Peru seven. This is a chance for Peru to actually win and tie the record.
Today's venue for USA vs Peru
The USMNT will play Peru Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.
Inter&Co Stadium can host up to 25,500 spectators. Hence, while U.S. Soccer has not officially announced a complete sellout, a near-capacity or full crowd is highly anticipated for today's match.
Bruno Milano is a sports journalist who joined Bolavip in June 2025 and is always craving the opportunity to find new angles to tell stories. With over 5 years of experience, he has covered prestigious events such as Super Bowl LVII, Super Bowl LX and UFC live events. Specializing in football, soccer, and combat sports, he is the complete package when it comes to creating dynamic sports content. A polyglot who speaks Spanish, English, and Italian, Bruno has a comprehensive understanding of various sports, including NFL, College sports, MLB, soccer, boxing, and MMA. His broad expertise and linguistic skills position him well to engage a diverse global audience with insightful and engaging sports journalism.
