Seventeen-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored his first senior international goal with a long-range chip to help the United States Men’s National Team defeat arch-rivals Mexico 3-0 on Saturday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Pochettino Blends Experience with Youth in Glendale
Mauricio Pochettino leaned on an experienced core for his starting lineup—including Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, and Alex Freeman, all of whom played big roles at the World Cup—alongside teenagers Diego Kochen in goal and Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan on the offensive line.
The U.S. squad also included Auston Trusty, who started at center back next to Chris Richards, and eight players who had not even been born when Jimmy Conrad and Landon Donovan provided the goals in a 2-0 win over Mexico at the same venue years prior. Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer released a hype video titled The Duel in the Desert
voiced by Arizona Cardinals legend and 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Larry Fitzgerald, who sported a U.S. Soccer jersey to promote the fixture.
Mexico came out of the gates with intent, controlling the front foot and getting into the box after only a couple of minutes. By the 15th minute, Mexico managed to take 38 touches in the opposing half to the United States’ five, while out-shooting the U.S. with four shots after 40 minutes while leaving no shots landing on frame.
Hall and Sullivan Capitalize on Goalkeeper Errors
Locking down the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute, Sebastian Berhalter sent a lofted pass toward the right side to Alex Freeman, who drew defensive attention from Mexico while pushing toward the corner and slipping a rushing Gio Reyna into the Mexican penalty area. Rangel made an error and spilled the ball, leaving Julian Hall—who scored his third goal in as many games at 18 years old—in position to capitalize.
Things went from bad to worse for Mexico later in the match. The visitors put their first shot on goal in the 58th minute when Roberto Alvarado attempted a half-volley on a redirected corner kick, forcing Kochen to leap and push the ball up and over the bar with youthful ease. Just minutes later, Mexico’s goalkeeper again committed a devastating error. After recycling possession back to the goalkeeper, Rangel made an unforced error by playing a softball on the ground outside his 18-yard box that Cavan Sullivan intercepted.
Sullivan turned, settled the ball with a first touch, and launched a nearly 35-yard chip shot with his second touch that sailed over Rangel and floated right into the middle of the net. Just four days after Matchis Albert broke the record against Peru, 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan took the crown to become the youngest player to ever score for the USMNT.
Tillman Seals Match Following Red Card
Following his landmark goal, Sullivan came off for Yunus Musah, while fellow goalscorer Julian Hall came off for Justin Ellis, and Sullivan celebrated near the corner of the stands close to where U.S. substitutes—including Union teammates Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield—were warming up. Chavez was penalized, and the match continued as the U.S. maintained control.
Playing down a man, El Tri again committed a defensive mistake in the 84th minute. Malik Tillman got to a poor back pass ahead of the Mexican defender and coolly slotted it in to make it 3-0, capping off another spectacular night for the USMNT in the 85th minute and humbling a ten-man Mexico squad.
| Match Detail | Record / Fact |
|---|---|
| Final Score | USA 3, Mexico 0 |
| Venue | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| Historic Milestone | Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest goal-scorer in USMNT history at 17 |
| Next Matchup | USA vs. Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota |
Coming on the heels of appearances in this summer’s World Cup, the U.S. men’s national team is currently playing its third match of an 11-day span featuring a four-game home stand on domestic turf.
The team won its first two games against Peru (4-1) and Chile (4-2) on September 26 and September 29, respectively, and will wrap up play against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday.
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