On Tuesday afternoon, two days before the official announcement, Justin Ellis was sitting with his family as he got an email from U.S. Soccer, telling him that he was being called up to the U.S. Men's National Team for the upcoming international window.
"I was right next to my dad when it happened. I got the email, and then my heart; I don't know if it skipped a beat or caught on fire for a second, I don't know what happened." Ellis said on Friday at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park. "And then I showed my dad. He just gave me a hug, and then my mom gave me a hug. I just thanked God. It was just a dream come true."
The 19-year-old Orlando City forward has been named to the U.S. Men's National Team's 28-player roster for the September-October international window, earning the first senior call-up of his career under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Ellis is one of 13 uncapped players selected for this round of games, which just so happen to begin in the same place that Ellis made his first-team debut: Inter.co Stadium.
The U.S. will host Peru on Sept. 26 at the home of Orlando City SC, something that Ellis admitted he had his eye on ever since the announcement was made that the game would be happening.
"When I found out the first friendly was going to be in Orlando, way before they even sent out the call, I had it in the back of my mind like probably two or three months ago that I need to try my best to get onto this roster, to play my first ever game for my country as a debut in Orlando, the place that's given me everything, that gave me the chance. That would just be the best day of my life if I play in that game, and it would be incredible."
Ellis joined the Orlando City Academy after a stint with Inter Miami CF early in his career. After joining the Lions, he went on to be named MLS NEXT MVP and won the Golden Boot as the Lions claimed their first Generation adidas Cup title in 2025. After a productive run with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, he signed a first-team Homegrown contract this February and has proceeded to have a breakout 2026 campaign, leading the club with 12 assists across all competitions, 10 of them in MLS play, one shy of the single-season record for a teenager in league play.
Through all of that, Ellis' family has been a constant source of motivation and encouragement in the young forward's journey.
"(My dad) and my mom are just everything to me. I'm so grateful to have them as my parents," Ellis said. "I know my mom isn't with us all the time; she works so hard for the family. And I'm with my dad almost the whole entire day. He's my dad, my big brother, my friend. None of this would be possible without them."
Also on the U.S. roster this round is fellow Orlando City Academy product Alex Freeman, a reunion that means as much to Ellis as the call-up itself. Freeman and Ellis came through the Academy and Orlando City B around the same time and they have remained close even as Freeman has gone off to Spain to play at Villarreal.
"He's one of the few people in football I'd consider family. Being able to reunite with Free and also play with him will be another dream come true," Ellis said. The pair spoke by phone the night before Orlando's midweek U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Columbus. "He was just saying he's proud of me, and I'm always supporting him. I'm always watching every Villarreal game now, and we always stay in touch."
As for what he wants to show Pochettino and his new teammates in camp, Ellis is looking to keep things simple and show them that he can help the team win games.
"I can help the team win with goals, assists, just helping the team play beautiful soccer," he said. "I think that's what I try to do on the field. I try to make the fans enjoy the game. I feel I can get the fans out of their seats with my play when I'm on the ball. Also on defense, work and try to help the team win the ball high up the field."
Ellis also mentioned that he was particularly looking forward to sharing a locker room with USMNT veterans fresh off a World Cup run, including one player in particular.
"I'm really excited to play with Gio Reyna. He's been my favorite national team player for a couple of years now," Ellis said. "I really enjoy his game, and I hope to play with him and learn a lot from him. But also, everyone else. I mean, you have to be good to get called in."
While Ellis and Freeman will look to team up for the U.S. as they take on Peru, the other side will have some familiar faces. Current midfielder Wilder Cartagena has been called in for Peru, along with former Lions goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Ellis and Cartagena have already started some banter about how that matchup will go on the pitch.
"He sits right next to me in the locker room," Ellis said of Cartagena. "He already said he's thinking about hitting me, but like he also needs me for Orlando, so he's debating whether to go really strong on me because it's for the country, so he plays with a lot of passion, but he told me he might take it a little easy because we need you for Orlando. It's a good joke to him. He's an amazing guy and an amazing player."
Ellis and Orlando City will play one match before the forward heads into camp with the U.S. as they head to New England to take on the Revolution on Saturday at 7:30, with the match broadcast on Apple TV.
