Cavan Sullivan makes senior US debut as 11 newcomers feature against Peru

Cavan Sullivan made his senior United States debut in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Peru in Orlando, starting two days before his 17th birthday. The Philadelphia Union attacker became the fourth-youngest player to represent the men's national team and its second-youngest starter, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's match report.

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Sullivan played on the right of the attacking midfield line in Mauricio Pochettino's 4-2-3-1 formation. The Inquirer recorded 35 touches, including seven inside the penalty area, and 25 completed passes from 28 attempts. He also had one shot and received a yellow card before leaving during a series of substitutions shortly after the hour.

His Union teammates Frankie Westfield and Neil Pierre also earned their first senior international appearances from the bench. Westfield came on at the same Orlando venue where he had made his Union first-team debut in the previous season's opener, The Inquirer reported. Pierre's late introduction completed a night of senior national-team debuts for all three Philadelphia players.

U.S. Soccer's official report counted 11 debutants, eight of them teenagers, as the team began its new World Cup cycle. Justin Ellis opened the scoring in the fourth minute by heading in Gio Reyna's free kick at the home ground of his club, Orlando City. Gianluca Lapadula replied for Peru before half-time, leaving the teams level at the break despite the hosts' early lead.

The United States pulled clear after Pochettino turned to his substitutes. Mathis Albert won the penalty that Malik Tillman converted in the 66th minute, before Julian Hall scored from Sebastian Berhalter's delivery in the 72nd. Berhalter then added a long-range finish in the 90th, with Hall supplying the assist. Ellis and Hall both marked their first senior appearances with goals, while the federation said a debutant was involved in every American goal.

The match drew a sellout crowd of 24,228, according to U.S. Soccer. It was Pochettino's first game since signing a contract through 2030. The Americans next host Chile in St. Louis on September 29, followed by matches against Mexico and Canada during the same international window.