Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield’s USMNT debuts vs. Peru weren’t forgotten amid Cavan Sullivan’s hype
The two Union defenders were among 11 players who earned their first U.S. caps in the 4-1 win over Peru, along with their club teammate Cavan Sullivan.
ORLANDO — Everyone knew who the man of the hour was Saturday night, especially the two guys who know him best.
And if it wasn’t enough that Frankie Westfield and Neil Pierre are Cavan Sullivan’s Union teammates, they walked right by him in the postgame interview area as a pack of reporters stood by the 16-year-old.
Of course Sullivan was the big story, having started and played well in his senior U.S. men’s soccer team debut. (And for the record, he might not be a 16-year-old anymore by the time you read this. His 17th birthday is Monday.)
He wasn’t the only story, though. Westfield and Pierre also made their debuts, part of a total of 11 players who earned their first caps in the 4-1 win over Peru. Both entered as late-game substitutes.
They all deserve a share of the spotlight, and U.S. Soccer made sure they got them. Each received a commemorative game ball in the locker room.
“This is a moment we’ve both been working for, for our whole lives,” said Westfield, a 20-year-old right back from Morrell Park in Northeast Philadelphia. “Truly an honor and a blessing to go out there and support the team, and help the team in any way possible. And I’m very thankful that we got the win today — just made it even better.”
» READ MORE: Cavan Sullivan makes USMNT debut in 4-1 win over Peru
Pierre, an 18-year-old centerback from Blue Bell and originally Harrisburg, was equally thrilled.
“You dream of this as a kid,” he said. “Coming out to the field and then also finishing the game off and winning it, obviously it was a great feeling, and a great moment for us and the team.”
Pierre said he had some family in the stands. Westfield didn’t have any, but they are expected at later games in this window.
The duo didn’t get to play with Sullivan in the game, since he exited just after the hour mark and they entered later: Westfield in the 77th minute and Pierre in the 88th. But they enjoyed what they saw from the bench.
» READ MORE: For Cavan Sullivan, ‘the dream is reality’ in a successful USMNT debut
“I was happy for him to be able to start and make a great performance, and [he was] just living it up in the moment and enjoying it,” Pierre said.
While the players spoke, the Union were in the midst of their 4-2 win over Orlando City back at Subaru Park — up 2-0 right then, late in the first half. MLS played a round of league games during the FIFA window because of the summer World Cup break, going back to an old bad habit. This could be the last time, with the big calendar flip coming next year.
“We were checking” in the locker room, Westfield said. “Five starters [missing], the whole right side being gone, that says a lot about the fight in the team, and the hunger. … Hopefully they can hold [the lead], and I know they will hold it.”
As the U.S. team headed off into the night, bound for a flight back to the national training center, his hunch was proven true.
» READ MORE: Neil Pierre could be on the cusp of his next star turn at his first USMNT camp
