USMNT Takes on Peru: Starting Lineups Revealed for High-Stakes International Friendly

The U.S. men's national team returns to the pitch for the first time since the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming together for the expanded two-week September–October international window.

The Stars and Stripes open their four-game friendly schedule on Saturday in Orlando, taking on South American side Peru.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino surprised the country last week by unveiling a dramatically reshuffled squad for the fall, retaining only half of the players who represented him on soccer's biggest stage just two months prior. Pochettino chose to bring in 13 uncapped players, among them eight teenagers, to represent the senior side, and he intends to throw them into the deep end immediately.

Three of those newcomers earned spots in the starting eleven, with several others expected to earn their senior caps. Still, the globally 16th-ranked Stars and Stripes will be heavy favorites to claim the win against the 52nd-ranked Peruvians, who have managed only two victories in their last 16 matches dating back to 2024.

Cavan Sullivan Headlines Starters

American supporters will be most eager to catch a glimpse of 16-year-old sensation Cavan Sullivan. When the Philadelphia Union forward takes the field, he will become the youngest player to make his senior national team debut since 16-year-old star Freddy Adu back in 2006. He is widely tipped to become the next iconic figure for the national team — potentially the greatest player the Stars and Stripes have ever produced.

Sullivan is joined in the starting lineup by fellow debutants 18-year-old Peyton Miller and 19-year-old Justin Ellis, both of whom have made a significant impact in Major League Soccer this season.

USMNT Starting Lineup vs. Peru

Starting XI: Freese; Freeman, Trusty, G. Campbell, Miller; Adams (C), Musah, Tillman; Sullivan, Ellis, Reyna

Subs: Brady (GK), Kochen (GK), Schwake (GK), Dest, Pierre, Richards, A. Robinson, M. Robinson, Westfield, Albert, Berhalter, Gozo, Raines, Mehmeti, Hall, C. Campbell, Downs.

Peru Starting Lineup vs. USMNT

Starting XI: Gallese (GK); Sonne, Araujo, Garcés, López; Cartagena, Yotún (C), Vélez; Magallanes, Lapadula, Vidales

Subs: Cordova, Romero, Mora, Barco, Pretell, Ugarriza, Noriega, Huamán, Concha, Valera, Inga, Soyer, Zegarra