Pulisic, Reyna score as United States beats Northern Ireland in friendly

Giovanni Reyna and Christian Pulisic both scored as the United States beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in a friendly to earn a first victory on European soil since 2015 on Sunday in Belfast.

Berhalter picked Pulisic in the starting XI alongside Reyna for the second match in a row following the U.S.'s 4-1 friendly win against Jamaica on Thursday night.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

- U.S. report card: Grading Pulisic, McKennie, Musah and Co.

Both teams showed flashes in the opening half-hour, but it was the U.S. that took the lead through Reyna right on 30 minutes when his shot from the top of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and caught out Northern Ireland keeper Conor Hazard.

U.S. keeper Zack Steffen did well to get down for a line drive from Shayne Lavery shortly before half-time and the U.S. took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Yunus Musah, who became officially cap tied to the U.S. by making his fourth appearance for the national team, was replaced by Sebastian Lletget at half-time, while Bryan Reynolds was handed his senior team debut when he came on for Sergino Dest after the intermission.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

---

Pulisic doubled the Americans' lead from the spot shortly before the hour mark, converting the penalty he drew when Danny Ballard tripped him as he darted across the area.

Berhalter made more changes after the second U.S. goal with Chris Richards, Daryl Dike and Brenden Aaronson all coming into the game.

Pulisic set up Dike with a lovely through ball as the second half wore on, but the Barnsley loanee had a weak attempt saved by Hazard as he looked to score his first international goal for the U.S.

Northern Ireland picked up a consolation goal as full-time approached when Niall McGinn pounced on a ball in the U.S. penalty area and smashed a volley over the head of Steffen to spoil the Manchester City keeper's clean sheet.

The 22nd-ranked Americans, preparing for a Nations League semifinal against Honduras in June and the start of World Cup qualifying in September, have eight wins and a draw in their past nine matches, and they've outscored opponents 25-4 in winning five consecutive friendlies. They had not won at a European opponent since a 4-3 friendly victory at Germany in June 2015.

Next up is a May 30 exhibition at Switzerland, followed by the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal at home against Honduras on June 3. But the focus is the start of World Cup qualifying on Sept. 2, most likely at Trinidad and Tobago, where an October 2017 loss prevented the Americans from going to the 2018 World Cup.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.