Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ... USMNT vs Peru Review: Pochettino's new era off to a strong start
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Sep 27, 2026 Graham Ruthven, a Scottish soccer writer and analyst specializing in European, North American, and U.S. soccer, joins the discussion of the USMNT’s 4-1 win over Peru. They examine Mauricio Pochettino’s promising start, a wave of debutants, attacking ambition, midfield experimentation, and standout displays from Malik Tillman, Justin Ellis, Julian Hall, Matisse Albert, and Peyton Miller.
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Young Players Inherited A Tactical Foundation
- The large number of substitutions did not disrupt the match because the young players competed intensely and preserved familiar tactical principles.
- The US built out in a three, sometimes shifted into a two, and pressed in recognizable four-man shapes despite unfamiliar combinations.
The Number 10 Experiment Created Freedom
- Kevin Sullivan and Gio Reyna offered overlapping creative profiles, producing fluid interchanges but occasionally leaving the attack without a clear finishing reference.
- Ellis, Tillman, and Peyton Miller repeatedly rotated positions, showing natural spatial awareness after only a few training days.
Ellis And Tillman Deliver Dream Debuts
- Malik Tillman combined quick decisions, calm movement, and a composed penalty to stand out as the midfield’s most cohesive performer.
- Justin Ellis scored four minutes into his home debut and impressed with mobile movement and an unexpectedly clever assist.