Justin Ellis scores first goal with the US national team on debut

Justin Ellis scored his first goal for the United States national team just four minutes after his debut, in the match against Peru played on Saturday at Inter&co Stadium — the ground he considers home as part of Orlando City. The goal came after a free kick taken by Gio Reyna; the 19-year-old flicked the ball with his head toward the far post to give the US a 1-0 lead.

As mlssoccer reports, Ellis earned his first senior-team call-up after a standout 2026 season with Orlando, registering 3 goals and 11 assists in all competitions ahead of the September–October windows. He had signed a homegrown contract with the first team in February, after rising through the club’s academy and Orlando City B. He was previously named MLS NEXT U-19 MVP in 2025 and won the Golden Boot at the 2025 Generation adidas Cup with six goals as Orlando reached the U-18 title.

The moment marks a significant step in the career of one of MLS’s most promising talents and raises his profile in the national team; the event was also covered in mlssoccer’s reporting.