GLENDALE, Ariz. — While soccer friendlies typically hold little significance, matches between the U.S. and Mexico are always noteworthy. As the new World Cup cycle kicks off, Mauricio Pochettino took advantage of Saturday’s impressive 3-0 victory at a lively State Farm Stadium to evaluate how his youthful American squad would perform in this fierce regional rivalry.
The players rose to the challenge. In front of a nearly full stadium, predominantly filled with fans in Mexican green, two forwards, aged just 35 combined, found the net in each half, marking Pochettino’s third consecutive win in his tenure.
At just 18 years old, Julian Hall became the first U.S. player since Eddie Johnson to score in his first three matches, while Cavan Sullivan, who celebrated his 17th birthday just days prior, made history as the youngest goal-scorer for the U.S., breaking the record previously held by Mathis Albert.
Throughout the game, Mexican supporters had fun at their goalie’s expense. Diego Kochen, the young American keeper, played the full match and made a stunning save when the U.S. was ahead by one goal. Malik Tillman, who scored twice at the World Cup, sealed the game with the third goal against a struggling Mexican team still searching for a win since the World Cup.
The Americans will wrap up this international break on Tuesday against Canada in St. Paul. Pochettino’s selections were mostly expected, although Kochen’s inclusion—as a rising talent ahead of the 2028 Olympics—was a minor surprise, taking the place of Matt Freese, who had started the previous match against Peru.
Chris Richards and Auston Trusty secured the center of defense, while Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman played as wing backs. The midfield was commanded by captain Tyler Adams and Sebastian Berhalter, providing support for Gio Reyna and Tillman.
Sullivan had a significant presence on the right, looking to connect with Hall, who secured the striker position with two goals and an assist in his previous outings.
Under new coach Rafa Márquez, Mexico began this window with two 1-1 draws against Colombia and Peru, and will finish against Chile on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Gilberto Mora, a noteworthy 17-year-old drawing interest from top clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool, was absent due to an ankle injury, which dashed hopes for a teenage showdown against Sullivan.
Márquez fielded a lineup featuring eight players with over 30 international caps. All starters, except for teenager Santiago Sandoval, were aged between 24 and 32, with defender Jesús Gallardo having more caps than seven U.S. starters combined.
Mexico dictated play early on, but Kochen was not put under pressure despite needing to play the ball from the back against Mexico’s forwards. Tillman created an early opportunity with an individual run into the box that resulted in a few harmless corners. Sullivan showed promise on the right, though the U.S. struggled to maintain possession.
Things shifted in the 28th minute as the Americans strung together 17 passes. Mexico allowed them to play freely in midfield until Berhalter played a long ball to Freeman. This opened a channel for Reyna, who progressed into the penalty area and delivered a low cross that Mexican goalie Raúl Rangel mismanaged, letting Hall score from close range.
Mexico nearly equalized just before halftime when Kochen deflected a cross to Santiago Giménez, but the striker missed the open net.
Shortly into the second half, Reyna and Tillman combined brilliantly to breach the Mexican defense, with Tillman backheeling the ball into Reyna’s path for a perfect cross.
The first real test for Kochen came in the 58th minute, where he leaped to deflect a powerful strike from Roberto Alvarado over the bar. Just as Hall and Sullivan were about to be substituted, Sullivan scored—taking advantage of a poorly executed pass from Rangel and chipping the ball into an empty net from 35 yards out.
The duo departed to a standing ovation. Frustrations for Mexico boiled over in the 67th minute when a substitute’s reckless tackle prompted a confrontation between coaches.
Tillman capped off the victory in the 84th minute by intercepting a loose pass and neatly finishing to the near post, marking his seventh international goal. The Americans have now netted an impressive 11 goals across these three victories, showcasing a promising blend of seasoned players and fresh talent.
USMNT Notes:
Defender Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Chris Brady were not in action, as Pochettino opted for a roster of 26 players. A friendly against Jamaica is tentatively planned for December 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wrapping up a training camp mainly focused on MLS players during a non-FIFA window.
Fan Take: This match is crucial for soccer fans as it showcases the potential of young American talent against a traditional rival. With an eye toward the upcoming World Cup, these performances could set the stage for the U.S. in international competitions.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
