Orlando City’s Ellis scores in US debut as national team tops Peru at Inter.co Stadium – Orlando Sentinel

Orlando City’s Ellis scores in US debut as national team tops Peru at Inter.co Stadium  Orlando Sentinel

Orlando City soccer rookie Justin Ellis scored in his first national team match as the U.S. defeated Peru in an international soccer friendly 4-1 at Inter.co Stadium, Ellis' home pitch. The United States men’s national team put on an impressive display at Inter.co Stadium on Saturday, earning a commanding 4-1 victory over Peru in a game that saw several key young prospects earn playing time for the U.S. Orlando City had five representatives, both past and present, in the starting lineups. Justin Ellis and Alex Freeman started for the Americans, while Pedro Gallese, Wilder Cartagena, and Yoshimar Yotun started for Peru. Ellis and Cartagena are current starters for the Lions.

Ellis opened the scoring with a floated header in the fourth minute. He won the free kick on the left side of the field, and Gio Reyna took the kick. The ball was delivered right to Ellis, allowing him to arc the ball past Gallese to put the U.S. up 1-0. “I think us young guys bring fresh energy,” Ellis said. “It’s a good vibe, and the senior players also help us a lot. Gio, me and him spent a lot of time together, and he was telling me last night before the game that he was going to assist me, and it ended up happening, and I’m very grateful