Pochettino's USMNT gets off to a winning start; Gilberto Mora saves Rafa Márquez's debut as Mexico's coach
In Europe, World Champion Spain once again demonstrated its dominance by defeating England 2-3 at Wembley in its first Nations League match of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino, during a press conference
Mauricio Pochettino's plan to revamp the U.S. national team following the World Cup got off to a flying start with a 4-1 rout of Peru in Orlando. The Argentine coach opted for youth, a decision that soon proved to be the right one. Another youngster, this time from Mexico, Gilberto Mora, proved that, at just 17 years old, he's more than up to the task of being the new star of the Tri, scoring the goal that prevented a loss in Rafa Márquez's coaching debut.
In front of 24,228 spectators at Inter&Co Stadium, “Poch” fielded a lineup featuring three very young starters and seven changes from the team that lost 4-1 to Belgium in July's World Cup round of 16. It was a gamble that paid off quickly. Four minutes in, Justin Ellis, a 19-year-old forward from Orlando City, opened the scoring with a header off a free kick by Gio Reyna.
"I've probably dreamed about this day about 500 or 1,000 times in my life, ever since I was five years old," Ellis said after the game. "I can't even describe how I feel. It's crazy," added the youngster, whose goal had a special meaning since he scored it at his team's home stadium.
Peru, in the midst of rebuilding after missing two consecutive World Cups, responded 15 minutes in thanks to Gianluca Lapadula, the veteran Italian-Peruvian who headed in a cross from Yoshimar Yotún to tie the game.
A series of controversial calls by the referee gave the final push to "Poch's" young squad
The score remained tied until the second half, when a controversial decision by Jamaican referee Steffon Dewar tipped the game in favor of the home team. The referee called a penalty for a foul by Jesús Pretell on another youth player, 17-year-old Mathis Albert, even though the foul had begun outside the box. Malik Tillman showed no mercy and converted from the penalty spot in the 66th minute.
The U.S. capitalized on the momentum and extended its lead in the 72nd minute, when 18-year-old Julian Hall tapped in a cross from Sebastian Berhalter. Berhalter himself capped off the rout in the 90th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box.
The U.S. team dominated possession and displayed a dynamic and fresh offensive attack, though Peru also found openings, especially toward the end of the first half.
“Poch's” new project
The match marked the start of Pochettino's second tenure, as he extended his contract through 2030 after leading the United States to the World Cup round of 16. The roster, which featured a significant overhaul, also reflects the intention to develop players ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The United States will continue its preparations on Tuesday against Chile in Missouri. Peru, for its part, will continue its North American tour with a friendly on the same day against Mexico in New Jersey.
Morita inherits Mexico's No. 10 and carries the “Tri” on his back
At 17 years old, the talented midfielder Gilberto Mora wore the Mexican national team's No. 10 jersey for the first time and scored the goal that secured a 1-1 draw against Colombia on Saturday, marking the start of the era under head coach Rafael Márquez.
“Morita,” who was the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup, scored his first goal for the Tri at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Mexico had never played in this U.S. city before, but this match against Colombia drew a crowd of 67,000 spectators, mostly Mexicans, who were captivated by Mora's performance as both playmaker and finisher.
"We already know Gilberto's quality, and we'll try to look after him, protect him, and help him develop. He's a young man, and together we're going to do everything we can to ensure he continues to put on performances like this one," said Márquez.
Three shots off the post leave Mexico without a major win
In the 62nd minute of his 14th match with the Mexican national team, Mora showcased his skill with a dribble into the box past Jhon Lucumí, the veteran Juventus defender, before blasting the ball past goalkeeper Álvaro Montero. Colombia had taken the lead in the 10th minute on its first attack.
Richard Ríos joined the attack down the right flank and, after beating Mexico's Luis Chávez, sent a cross into the box that Suárez converted into a goal with a header.
The Mexican starting lineup under Rafa Márquez was practically a continuation of the lineups fielded by his predecessor Javier Aguirre in the 2026 World Cup, with a few tweaks, in addition to featuring Morita wearing the No. 10 jersey.
"La Hormiga" González and the return of "Chucky" Lozano were the big news
Forward Armando "La Hormiga" González, recently signed by Greek club Olympiacos, started in place of the injured Raúl Jiménez. Winger Hirving “El Chucky” Lozano also made his return after a 10-month absence.
Mexico was caught off guard by Suárez's early goal, though it could have gone into halftime tied, but hit the woodwork three times.
On Tuesday, as part of the ongoing FIFA international break, Mexico will face Peru. Colombia will take on Paraguay on Friday. Both matches will be played in New Jersey.
The world champions return hungrier than ever
Gordon and Kane turned the tide in a thrilling back-and-forth match, in which Ferrán Torres, the man who scored the winning goal for Spain against Argentina, had two clear chances against Trafford but failed to capitalize on them.
In the second half, Kane missed a penalty kick after slipping just as he was about to take the shot. Those who didn't miss, however, were Álex Baena, who tied the game with a shot from outside the box in the 60th minute, and Oyarzábal, who scored the final goal to make it 2–3 in the 74th minute.
LATEST
