GLENDALE, Ariz. — The future of the U.S. Men’s National Team was on full display Saturday night as teenage standouts Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall both found the net in a commanding 3-0 victory over Mexico in the latest chapter of the Concacaf rivalry.
Facing 10th-ranked Mexico in the 80th meeting between the two nations, Mauricio Pochettino’s side received goals from Hall, Sullivan and Malik Tillman while 20-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen recorded a clean sheet in his first international start.
For Sullivan, the night was historic.
At just 17 years and five days old, the Philadelphia Union midfielder became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history, adding another milestone to the rapid rise of one of American soccer’s most highly regarded young players.
Hall Continues Remarkable Start
Mexico controlled stretches of possession early, but the United States struck first in the 28th minute.
Gio Reyna worked his way into the penalty area and sent a cross toward the near post. Mexico goalkeeper José Rangel stopped the initial ball, but Hall reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home to put the Americans ahead.
The goal continued an extraordinary introduction to international soccer for the 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward.
Hall has now scored in each of his first three USMNT appearances, becoming only the third player in program history to accomplish the feat, joining Eddie Johnson and Alexander Rae.
The goal also extended another impressive American streak: the USMNT has now scored during the first half in 10 consecutive matches, a program record.
Sullivan Makes USMNT History
Then came Sullivan’s moment.
In the 62nd minute, Sullivan pressured Rangel as Mexico attempted to play out from the back. A poor pass from the goalkeeper fell directly to the teenager, who calmly lifted a left-footed shot from roughly 30 yards toward the vacated goal.
The ball curled into the net and Sullivan had his first senior international goal — and a place in the USMNT record books.
Sullivan and Hall also became the first pair of American teenagers to score against Mexico in the same match.
Mexico’s situation deteriorated five minutes later when Mateo Chávez was shown a red card for violent conduct, reducing El Tri to 10 men.
Tillman Puts Mexico Away
Rather than protect the two-goal advantage, the United States continued pressing.
That aggression produced a third goal in the 84th minute when Tillman intercepted another pass in Mexico’s defensive half, beat his defender and finished past the goalkeeper.
It was Tillman’s seventh international goal and his fourth of 2026, tying him for the team lead this year.
At the other end, Kochen completed an impressive first USMNT start. Mexico threatened early and forced the young goalkeeper into action during the second half, but Kochen and a back line led by Chris Richards and Auston Trusty preserved the shutout.
The 3-0 result ties the second-largest USMNT victory over Mexico and marks the Americans’ first win against a FIFA top-10 opponent since their 2-0 victory over Mexico in November 2021.
The result also continues a remarkable recent swing in one of international soccer’s fiercest rivalries. Since 2021, the United States holds a 6-2-2 advantage against Mexico.
For Pochettino, however, perhaps the biggest takeaway was how much of Saturday’s performance came from the next generation.
Sullivan is 17. Hall is 18. Kochen is 20.
And against the USMNT’s biggest rival, none of them looked overwhelmed by the occasion.
The United States will now attempt to complete a perfect four-match slate when it faces fellow 2026 World Cup co-host Canada on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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