USMNT faces Peru in Orlando as Pochettino tests youth-focused squad

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) will face Peru in an international friendly at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The match marks a significant transition for both squads as they enter new competitive cycles.

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is implementing a youth-focused strategy, calling up 12 first-time players, including eight teenagers such as 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan. The roster notably excludes established veterans like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun. This match is the first of a four-game series for the Americans, who will also face Chile, Mexico, and Canada.

Peru, led by Brazilian coach Mano Menezes, is also in a period of reinvention following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Peruvian squad features a mix of experience and youth, with players like Gianluca Lapadula and Pedro Gallese expected to lead the lineup. The match serves as a key test for Menezes' tactical approach as Peru prepares for upcoming FIFA international windows.