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The USMNT secured a 3-0 victory over Mexico in a highly anticipated friendly match at State Farm Stadium, highlighted by historic performances from teenage players Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Soccer friendlies are, by definition, inconsequential affairs. U.S.-Mexico entanglements, however, are special under any circumstances. And at the start of a new World Cup cycle, with some 3 ½ years to expand and mold his roster, Mauricio Pochettino used Saturday's 3-0 romp at rocking State Farm Stadium to discover how his young Americans would fare in the boiler of this savage regional rivalry.
In front of a near-capacity crowd disproportionately sporting Mexican green, two attackers with a combined age of 35 scored in each half as Pochettino's second term continued on its stirring path with a third consecutive victory. Julian Hall, 18, became the first U.S. player since Eddie Johnson 22 years ago to score in his first three appearances and Cavan Sullivan, who turned 17 on Monday, became the youngest scorer in U.S. history — breaking a record set by Mathis Albert, 17, on Tuesday.
For the rest of the match, Mexican fans mocked their failing goalkeeper. Diego Kochen, 20, went the distance in goal and made a terrific reflex save when the U.S. led by one. Malik Tillman, a two-goal scorer at the World Cup, added the third goal against a defensively ragged Mexican side seeking its first victory since the World Cup.
Pochettino's lineup selections were largely expected, with one surprise: Kochen, the former Barcelona prospect who debuted in the second half of the Peru match last weekend. He got the nod over Matt Freese, the World Cup starter who was in the lineup for the window opener against Peru. He hadn't done anything glaringly wrong in that 4-1 victory, but with Kochen's stock rising in U.S. circles ahead of the 2028 Olympics, Pochettino wanted to test him in an intense match.
Chris Richards and Auston Trusty manned central defense, while Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman were the wing backs. Captain Tyler Adams and Sebastian Berhalter supported Gio Reyna and Tillman in midfield. Cavan Sullivan celebrated his 17th birthday Monday, then made USMNT history five days later against Mexico.
Sullivan had freedom on the right flank, looking to combine with Hall, who had won the striker job after posting two goals and an assist in 99 minutes over two matches. Under new coach Rafa Márquez, Mexico opened the window with 1-1 draws against Colombia and Peru. El Tri will wrap up camp against Chile on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old star reportedly drawing interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool, was not in uniform after hurting his ankle on Tuesday, spoiling hope of a teenage showdown between Mora and Sullivan. Márquez started eight players with at least 30 caps. Every starter, except teenager Santiago Sandoval, was between 24 and 32 years old. With his 128th cap, defender Jesús Gallardo had logged more appearances than seven U.S. starters combined.
El Tri set the early terms. Kochen didn't need to make any saves but did have to play the ball with his feet while under pressure from Mexico's forwards. Tillman provided an early thrill for the U.S., making an individual run into the penalty area that resulted in a pair of harmless corner kicks. Sullivan was pesky and deceptive on the right side, but for the most part, the U.S. labored to sustain possession in the attacking half.
AdvertisementMexico was willing to allow them to interact harmlessly in midfield. Berhalter then took the initiative, delivering a long ball to Freeman near the sideline. A channel opened for Reyna to make a run from a deep position. Freeman supplied him.
Rushing inside the penalty area, Reyna crossed. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel stabbed it with his right foot but left the ball for Hall to deposit from inside the 6-yard box. Mexico came close to drawing level late in the half when Kochen pushed a cross to Santiago Giménez's feet, but the striker sent it wide of the open net. Moments into the second half, Reyna and Tillman unlocked the Mexican defense with a sublime combination.
Tillman backheeled into Reyna's path for a cross beyond a teammate's reach. Kochen was tested for the first time in the 58th minute, leaping to touch Roberto Alvarado's thumping drive over the crossbar. Hall and Sullivan were about to be removed from the match when Sullivan scored — thanks in large part to Rangel, whose dreadful pass was intercepted by the Philadelphia Union star.
Sullivan instinctively looked to shoot right away, chipped the ball from some 35 yards into the vacant net. Mexican frustration boiled over in the 67th minute. Substitute Mateo Chavez took down Yunus Musah with a hard tackle. Berhalter confronted Chavez, who responded by clapping Berhalter on both cheeks.
A melee ensued — a common sight in a U.S.-Mexico match. Tillman added the third goal in the 84th minute, beating lackadaisical defender Diego Campillo to the back pass in the box and beating Rangel to the near side for his seventh international goal. The Americans have scored 11 goals in these three victories — an impressive tally for a mix of veterans and prospects finding their way together.
Defender Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Chris Brady were not in uniform, keeping with Pochettino's plans to dress 26 players. … The proposed U.S.-Jamaica friendly Dec. 13 is tentatively slated to be played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, per sources. The match would conclude a week-long U.S. camp primarily for MLS players in a non-FIFA window.
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