The U.S. men’s national team’s first game of the 2030 World Cup cycle is in the books.
On Saturday, Mauricio Pochettino’s team bested Peru by a 4-1 scoreline in Orlando. The U.S. controlled the game and looked the better team throughout, even if there were some lethargic moments. We’re not here to talk about the team as a whole or the flow of the game, though. Of the USMNT’s potential 13 debutants, 11 of them featured including three starters. Let’s take a look at how each one of them performed in their first U.S. cap.
Cavan Sullivan, 16, Winger
Sullivan started nominally as the right winger, but was floating inside constantly in the U.S.’s fluid attack. He didn’t get on the ball early in the game as much as most would have hoped, but grew into the match as his teammates started to find him consistently. The Philadelphia Union teenager showed the close control and quick decision-making that’s made him a sensation in MLS, even if he didn’t show off his flair. He’s ready and willing to get into physical battles, too. The Cavan Sullivan era has arrived, folks.
