The fans who witnessed the United States’ 4-1 thrashing of Peru in Orlando on Saturday did not have to wait long to get their flashbulb moment. It came just four minutes into the match, only moments after 19-year-old Orlando City attacker Justin Ellis headed home the US opener. Ellis, making his first appearance for the US, sprinted toward the near corner to celebrate, then turned and faced the US supporters in the north end of Inter.co Stadium – a supporters’ section nicknamed “the wall”.
Quickly, he was joined by Villarreal defender Alex Freeman, himself an Orlando City product. For a moment, the two former teammates posed arm in arm, gazing up at the home crowd. Then they embraced, laughed, and attempted to run back to the center circle.
Gio Reyna, who’d assisted on the goal, shoved him back toward the fans. It was unbelievable … I think Gio also just understood the moment, being back home in front of the wall, it was just super special.” Youthful, playful moments like this resonated on Saturday, not entirely unexpected given the fact that the US rolled out eleven newcomers, just one player shy of the program’s all-time record. The game pulsed with a carefree, free-spirited energy; an ideal palate-cleanser to US fans still reeling from the team’s stiff crashout against Belgium in the World Cup.
That last-16 match was arguably the most important game the US has played in years. This one had zero stakes whatsoever, more a fact-finding mission than anything else. Which is precisely what made it so lovely to watch.
On Saturday, the US kids played with an uncommon familiarity, particularly for their age. Ellis and Reyna were far from the only two who connected. Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan – American soccer’s latest “next big thing” – threatened throughout the entirety of his 60-minute shift.
Julian Hall scored the United States’ third on his debut, crashing the back post on a Sebastian Berhalter cross as if they had been club teammates for years. It’s the same if they don’t have quality – you can train them for a year and that natural, organic connection never happens … I feel really proud [for Cavan.] 16 years old? Performing and fighting and playing with personality and character?
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