After Thursday's 4-2 defeat to Colombia, interim United States coach Dave Sarachan and his team have a chance to get back on track in another South American test on Tuesday.
The U.S. could put an even younger lineup on the field for this game, but it isn't likely to get much easier. Like Colombia, Peru also is coming off the World Cup in Russia, and after two defeats in Europe during the September friendly window, they bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Chile last week in Miami.
Peru hasn't beat the U.S. in more than 20 years but has been much improved under Ricardo Gareca and will be looking to close out the month with another triumph.
| Game | United States vs Peru |
| Date | Tuesday, October 16 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States, the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| ESPN2, Unimas, Univision Deportes Network | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
Squads & Team News
| Position | United States players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Guzan, Horvath |
| Defenders | Brooks, Cannon, Carter-Vickers, Long, Miazga, Robinson, Sweat, Yedlin |
| Midfielders | Acosta, Amon, Bradley, Delgado, Green, Picault, Saief, Trapp, Weah |
| Forwards | Novakovich, Sargent, Wood |
Goalkeeper Zach Steffen left the U.S. camp after feeling tightness in his hamstring in the match against Colombia and heading back to his club as a precautionary measure.
Reggie Cannon and Jonathan Amon didn't see time against the Cafeteros and will get their first-ever U.S. caps as they get the start against Peru. Sarachan has made numerous changes, with just Kellyn Acosta and Timothy Weah returning from the XI that began against Colombia.
USA Starting XI: Guzan; Cannon, Carter-Vickers, Long, Sweat; Delgado, Trapp, Acosta; Weah, Sargent, Amon.
| Position | Peru players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Gallese, Carvallo, Alvarez |
| Defenders | Ramos, Advincula, Trauco, Santamaria, Callens, Loyola, Madrid |
| Midfielders | Yotun, Cueva, Carrillo, Flores, Hurtado, Tapia, Aquino, Polo, Pena, Cartagena, Calcaterra |
| Forwards | Ruidiaz, Reyna |
Peru surprised a bit by making some changes to the XI that rolled to victory against Chile, as Andy Polo is among those who made a successful push to get into the starting lineup.
Peru XI: Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Callens, Loyola; Tapia, Pena, Flores, Hurtado, Polo; Ruidiaz.
Match Preview
@SeleccionPeru
It has now been more than a year since the United States fell to Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualification and missed out on a trip to Russia. Since then, a number of young players have been given opportunities - though not always as many as fans hoped would see time.
This game could be one that puts a smile on the face of those who want a sweeping youth movement. Experienced goalkeeper Brad Guzan will start with Zack Steffen back with his club after feeling hamstring tightness, but aside from the Atlanta United shot-stopper, many of the players interim boss Dave Sarachan puts out against Peru will be largely inexperienced at the international level.
The same is unlikely to be said of his counterpart's lineup. Ricardo Gareca guided his team to the World Cup in 2018, the first time since since 1982 the South American nation found itself on soccer's grandest stage. The Argentine has agreed to continue at the team's helm, giving Peru continuity that is rare in the Americas during this time of post-World Cup upheaval on the bench.
It showed last week, when Peru was able to stump Chile in a 3-0 victory over La Roja. Now expectations are high for next summer's Copa America, but first Peru will look to close out the month with its first win over the U.S. in 21 years.
While the results have gone in favor of the North Americans, Peruvian soccer has benefited from having players on North American clubs. Luis Advincula, now in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, is among six players whose rights currently are with a Liga MX team. MLS players Raul Ruidiez and Andy Polo stopped through Mexico as well before moving to teams in the U.S., while attacking midfielder Christian Cueva played in Liga MX before moving to Brazil and to his current club in Russia.
Gareca used a similar starting XI, but Sarachan promised and delivered plenty of changes for the U.S. as he and his staff get long looks at players who may form the base of the next generation. Peru in its ascendency should provide a good test, but perhaps a better chance to get a result than a Colombia team that went further in Russia than Peru was able to go.
