The United States men’s national team returns to the field on Saturday, September 26, hosting Peru at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando in its first match since a round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named 13 uncapped players in a squad averaging under 23 years old, with 16-year-old Philadelphia Union forward Cavan Sullivan positioned to make history if he steps onto the field.
Pochettino Rests Stars, Leans on Uncapped Prospects
This is the USMNT’s first outing since a 4-1 loss to Belgium ended its World Cup on home soil. Rather than easing back in with a familiar lineup, Pochettino has used the camp to evaluate a wave of new talent, with regulars Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie rested for the window.
The match also opens a new four-year cycle for Pochettino, who signed a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup, according to U.S. Soccer.
Billed as the “Fan Appreciation Match,” Saturday’s game marks the USMNT’s eighth all-time appearance at the Orlando venue, where the team beat Costa Rica 3-0 in a January 2025 friendly, per Orlando City SC.
Much of the week leading up to kickoff was spent on team-building rather than tactics. Pochettino has described the camp as an early opportunity to get to know a roster stocked with first-timers, spending time learning how the newcomers live and what they expect from the setup before turning to game plans.
Veteran defender Alex Freeman, one of the older heads in a squad where 12 of the 27 players are younger than him at 22, has described the mix of youth and experience as coming together naturally over the course of the week.
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Cavan Sullivan’s Debut Watch
Sullivan earned his first senior call-up after a breakout stretch with the Philadelphia Union, where he set the MLS record for most assists by a teenager in a single season and became the youngest player in league history to register a goal contribution in four straight games, according to MLS Soccer. He signed a homegrown deal with the Union at 14 and has an agreement to transfer to Manchester City once he turns 18 in 2027.
If he appears against Peru or in any of the three friendlies that follow, Sullivan would become the second-youngest player to ever suit up for the USMNT, behind only Freddy Adu’s 2006 debut.
Peru Arrives Off a World Cup Miss
Peru missed out on a World Cup spot after finishing ninth in CONMEBOL qualifying, and the team enters Saturday’s match ranked 50th in the world, having climbed three spots since the start of 2026.
The visitors are 1-2-1 in four matches played this year, with a loss to Senegal and a draw against Honduras in March, followed by a win over Haiti and a defeat to eventual champions Spain in June.
Veteran captain Yoshimar Yotún and striker Gianluca Lapadula lead the squad under new head coach Mano Menezes, the Brazilian-born manager who took over the Peruvian program this year.
Head-to-Head: USMNT Holds the Edge
Historically, the USMNT holds the edge in this series. The two sides have met seven times since 1989, with the Americans winning three, losing two and drawing two, including a 1-1 result in East Hartford, Connecticut, in October 2018 that remains their most recent meeting. Their only competitive meeting came in the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage, a 1-0 U.S. win in Florida.
Menezes takes charge of a Peru side still searching for consistency after missing out on North America. The team has not played the USMNT since that 2018 draw, making Saturday’s friendly the first true measuring stick for both programs’ rebuilding efforts since their federations’ last head-to-head meeting.
USMNT’s Full Fall Friendly Schedule
Saturday’s match is the first of four international friendlies Pochettino has scheduled to open the post-World Cup cycle:
- Sept. 26: USA vs. Peru — Orlando, Florida
- Sept. 29: USA vs. Chile — St. Louis, Missouri
- Oct. 3: USA vs. Mexico — Glendale, Arizona
- Oct. 6: USA vs. Canada — St. Paul, Minnesota
The stretch gives Pochettino a chance to assess both his uncapped prospects and returning veterans before the November and March camps, with several of Saturday’s young players also in the mix for the 2028 Olympic squad.
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Kickoff Time and TV Channels
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The match will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock, with radio coverage on Westwood One Sports and Fútbol de Primera.
FAQs
When is the USMNT vs Peru match?
The match kicks off Saturday, September 26, at 4:30 p.m. ET at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
How can I watch USA vs Peru?
The game airs on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock, with select streaming options available through Fubo and Sling TV.
Will Cavan Sullivan make his USMNT debut against Peru?
Sullivan is part of Pochettino’s squad for the fall window and could debut against Peru or in one of the three friendlies that follow against Chile, Mexico or Canada. Pochettino has not confirmed a starting lineup ahead of kickoff.
Why are Christian Pulisic and other regulars missing from the squad?
Pochettino rested several established players, including Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, to give newer call-ups playing time as he builds toward the 2030 World Cup cycle.
What is the USMNT’s all-time record against Peru?
The two sides have played seven times, with the USMNT holding a 3-2-2 record. Their most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw in East Hartford, Connecticut, in October 2018.
Did Peru qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No. Peru finished ninth in CONMEBOL qualifying and did not reach the tournament. The team is currently ranked 50th in the FIFA world rankings.
What other matches are part of the USMNT’s fall window?
After Peru, the USMNT plays Chile in St. Louis on September 29, Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, on October 3, and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 6.
How old is Cavan Sullivan?
Sullivan is 16 years old and turns 17 on September 28, two days after the Peru match. He plays for the Philadelphia Union and has a pre-arranged move to Manchester City once he turns 18.
