The deep water isn’t exactly ocean depth in a friendly, but Mauricio Pochettino did not wait to hand Cavan Sullivan and a few other teenagers their place in the drink for USMNT debuts against Peru on Saturday in Orlando, Florida.
We will grade out all of the U.S. players here, fear not, but let’s start with Sullivan. After all, the soon-to-be 17-year-old has earned ‘next big thing’ status and will soon leave Philadelphia Union for the shores of England and Manchester City.
MORE — USMNT vs Peru recap, highlights, analysis
USMNT fans will have a chance to revel in several good debuts for teenagers, and Sullivan didn’t even have the best game by a teen debutant in Orlando. Justin Ellis scored the opener and was very bright. Julian Hall came off the bench and also scored on debut. Peyton Miller (18) started at left back and Mathis Albert (17) entered the game at halftime and won a penalty.
Vibes will be high as the Yanks earned a straight-forward win over a CONMEBOL visitor with a number of kids while two veterans further cemented their places as two of the most important players in the program.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of Sullivan’s day and player ratings for all of the men to pull on the dark blue shirt of the USMNT.
How did Cavan Sullivan fare in much-anticipated USMNT debut?
Let’s start here before we say anything positive or negative: Sullivan had a solid performance for any player on debut, let alone a teenager who won’t hit 17 until Monday.
Sullivan left the game as the match’s co-leader in touches in the box, and was one off Tillman’s game lead for created chances.
One of the things that leaps off the pitch is his stubbornness in pursuing both good chances and possible lost causes. He saw a yellow card after following a bobbling ball at the feet of prone keeper Pedro Gallese, and snapped a cross toward the heart of the box from the very limits of the end line.
🧤😱 ¡ATAJADÓN DE PEDRO GALLESE!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 26, 2026
🇵🇪 Perú mantiene el empate gracias a esta ENORME reacción de su portero al tiro de Tillman.
EN VIVO 📺 @Telemundo y Peacock y 📱 Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/20KRSCEXJ8#AmistosoInternacional #USAvsPerú #USMNTTelemundo #USMNT pic.twitter.com/waNnPi0QP4
He did struggle in the duel and some moves that might’ve succeeded at lesser levels did not come clean against Peru. That’ll also happen when you’re still in the throes of biological development.
Sullivan finished with 25-of-28 passing, two created chances, a blocked shot, seven touches in the Peru box, one committed foul, and 0-for-3 ground duels.
USMNT player ratings vs Peru
Matt Freese (Off HT): 5 — Sunk into his goal on Peru’s first goal, opening up an angle to the far post.
Peyton Miller (Off 62'): 7— Lost his way around Lapadula and did not affect his header on Peru’s opener. Got forward to deliver a dangerous cross in the first half, won a tackle and drove up the pitch to switch fields by winning a foul early in the second.
George Campbell (Off 88'): 6 — Loomed large in the back line but gave away the ball on Lapadula’s goal.
Auston Trusty: 6.5 — Should have been more than a bystander on the opening goal.
Alex Freeman (Off 72'): 7 — Rough moments on the Peru goal but was otherwise everpresent and intense.
Tyler Adams (Off 88'): 9 — Subbed off with a game-high 103 touches. Absolute nails in possession, or maybe darts is a better term. No loose passes and connected on his first 75. Fed balls into the final third and handled his area in defense. Center midfield is a deep position for the Yanks, but he’s one of one. A genius of industry.
Yunus Musah (Off 62'): 6.5 — Was one of two players along with Freeman giving Yotun space and time to weigh up his cross to make it 1-1. Won a good free kick early in the second half.
Malik Tillman (Off 77'): 8.5 — Very busy as his vision as the ‘bigger Pulisic’ was on full display in the first half. Had three created chances in the first 50 minutes. Nailed his penalty.
Cavan Sullivan (Off 62'): 6.5 — Unlucky to see a yellow card, the soon-to-be 17-year-old was very busy and decisive. Along with Tillman made a living finding the ball in-and-around the Peru box.
Giovanni Reyna (Off 62'): 7.5 — Terrific cross that became an assist on Ellis’ header. Active and dangerous. He’s usually electric when he’s feeling it, and he was closer to that than the opposite.
Justin Ellis (Off 62'): 8 — Got into so many dangerous areas including his goal.
Subs
Diego Kochen (On HT): 6 — Required just 11 touches and wasn’t asked to make save. Touched the ball with his gloves once, maybe thrice.
Zavier Gozo (On 62'): 6.5
Matthis Albert (On 62'): 7.5 — Won the penalty that Tillman cashed in for 2-1. Looked very dangerous on the left wing
Sebastian Berhalter (On 62'): 8.5 — What a cross on Hall’s goal! Should it have been handled better by Peru? Probably, but that’s not our problem.
Julian Hall (On 62'): 8.5 — Went to the dirty places to score on debut, then assisted Berhalter’s rocket goal.
Antonee Robinson (On 62'): 6.5
Brooklyn Raines (On 72'): N/R
Frankie Westfield (On 72'): N/R
Neil Pierre (On 88'): N/R
Adri Mehmeti (On 88'): N/R
