Giovanni Reyna’s set-piece delivery helped set the United States on their way as a youthful side recovered from a difficult opening hour to beat Peru 4-1 in a friendly on Saturday night.
The Strasbourg midfielder created the first goal only four minutes into the match, curling in a free-kick that 19-year-old Justin Ellis headed home. Ellis, an Orlando teammate of Antoine Griezmann, marked his first senior international appearance with an immediate impact.
Peru levelled through experience rather than youth. Gianluca Lapadula, 36, met a cross with his head in the 15th minute, and the score remained 1-1 until the United States made their move after the hour.
Young substitutes turn the match
Mathis Albert, the 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward, won the penalty that restored the American lead in the 66th minute. Malik Tillman converted from the spot.
Another debutant then took centre stage. Julian Hall, the 18-year-old New York Red Bulls striker, turned in a low ball from close range in the 72nd minute to make it 3-1 before setting up Sebastian Berhalter for the final goal in the 90th minute.
Hall and Berhalter were both appearing for the United States for the first time, while the match also gave several members of the new generation a chance to establish themselves under Mauricio Pochettino.
More tests ahead for Pochettino’s squad
The United States still have three friendlies to play during this sequence: Chile in the early hours of Wednesday, Mexico in the early hours of Sunday, and Canada on 7 October.
Those fixtures offer further opportunities for the younger players, including Cavan Sullivan, who was relatively quiet against Peru. Reyna, however, had already made his influence clear, providing the delivery that gave the Americans their early platform before the teenage substitutes finished the job.
