USMNT player ratings: Ellis gets 9, Berhalter 10 in Peru rout

The United States men's national team earned a 4-1 win over Peru in a friendly at Orlando's Inter.co Stadium on Saturday. Following an early goal from Justin Ellis in the fourth minute for the U.S., Peru then responded with an equalizer thanks to a Gianluca Lapadula strike in the first half. After the half-time break, the Americans took charge with additional opportunities that found the back of the net from a Malik Tillman penalty, and Julian Hall through open play. To close out the one-sided result, Sebastian Berhalter then scored from distance in the 90th minute to cement the victory. With the win in hand, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino and his roster will now prepare for their next friendly against Chile on Sep. 29. - As it happened: USA romps to win over Peru, two teenagers score on debut - Sullivan, 16, starts for USMNT; youngest to earn cap since Adu in '06 - Pochettino shares 'regret' over Balogun controversy, impact on USMNT Manager rating (scale of 1-10) Mauricio Pochettino, 9 -- Trusting a number of young players that made the average age of his starting XI just 23 years old, Pochettino not only tested his youthful core that included 11 national team debuts but also found a way to make his 4-2-3-1 system fluid and dynamic. Considering the experiment at hand, it did lead to some chaotic moments, notably in a few moments in the backline, but Saturday's display was a big step in the right direction for the coach that is analyzing the next generation of players. USMNT Player ratings (0-10; 10 = best; 5 = average) GK Matt Freese, 6 -- 45 minutes, one save, and he wasn't at fault for Peru's goal. Freese wasn't tested enough to make any grand statements about the 28-year-old. DF Alex Freeman, 7 -- A solid outing for the Villarreal player that pushed high up the right flank. Freeman was dependable and also a dangerous option in the attacking third. DF George Campbell, 5 -- Arguably the most questionable member of the starting XI. Campbell lost the ball that led to Peru's goal and didn't have the best decision-making moments. DF Auston Trusty, 5 -- Trusty lost his mark for Peru's first goal and also wasn't at his best during a couple of crucial duels. DF Peyton Miller, 6 -- Sure, he was partially at fault for Peru's goal and was average with his aerial battles, but Miller was still active going forward. At 18 years old, there's much that he can build on. MF Tyler Adams, 7 -- Drifting into the right spaces, the captain and conductor of the midfield took charge with more passes than any other player in the game. Adams remains as a vital leader in the heart of the U.S. XI. MF Yunus Musah, 6 -- A quiet game for the midfielder who played a box-to-box role. His conservative distribution was the highlight of the game alongside Adams. AM Giovanni Reyna, 8 -- Provided the assist for Ellis and was constantly part of the attacking build-up. With more club minutes under his belt this season, Reyna could continue to be a difference-maker in the new World Cup cycle. AM Cavan Sullivan, 7 -- Connected well with the frontline, had a few trademark scrappy moments, and was unlucky to not have an assist or two. A decent debut for the teenager. AM Malik Tillman, 7 -- Were it not for his goal from the penalty spot, there would be more questions regarding the reserved performance from the Bundesliga player. Nonetheless, credit is due to him finding the back of the net from the spot in the second half. FW Justin Ellis, 9 -- Won the free kick that led to his goal, found the back of the net at his home club stadium, and did excellent work dropping back and connecting with the frontline. A dream debut. Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating) GK Diego Kochen, 6 -- Like Freese, not much work to do for the goalkeeper who had one run-out to claim a loose ball. AM Mathis Albert, 8 -- There's something intriguing there about the Borussia Dortmund backup that won a penalty in the second half and was eager to make an impact. FW Julian Hall, 9 -- A goal and an assist off the bench after the 62nd minute, what more could you ask for? AM Zavier Gozo, 7 -- Another positive performance and debut for the teenager that almost had an assist. MF Sebastian Berhalter, 10 -- Brought on in the 62nd minute, provided an assist in the 72nd, and then scored from distance in the 90th. The most efficient figure of the match. DF Antonee Robinson, 7 -- Provided the lateral pass that led to assist for Hall goal. DF Frankie Westfield, N/A -- Substituted on for Freeman in the 77th minute. MF Brooklyn Raines, N/A -- Substituted on for Tillman in the 77th minute. MF Adri Mehmeti, N/A -- Substituted on for Adams in the 87th minute. DF Neil Pierre, N/A -- Substituted on for Campbell in the 87th minute.