USMNT rebounds with 3–0 win over Mexico as MLS teenagers Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall score

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

The U.S. men’s national team rolled out an unusually youthful starting group and delivered a 3–0 victory over Mexico on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona, building further momentum around a new generation in the program. MLS teenagers Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) and Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) scored key goals as part of the United States’ clinical finishing, while 20-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen made a standout first career start in goal.

The result extended the U.S.–Mexico rivalry narrative often tied to “Dos a Cero,” referencing the 2–0 scoreline that has appeared in multiple past U.S. wins over Mexico. While Mexico had stretches of early pressure, the U.S. stayed composed and converted its first real scoring chances, opening the match through Hall’s goal.

Hall scored after Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel—Mexico’s starter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—failed to deal with Gio Reyna’s low cross. With his strike, Hall delivered what the U.S. staff and players later framed as an important early step: getting a goal first to establish control and momentum.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match that the appearance of talented players at this stage mattered to the group’s development. “It’s amazing to have these talented players that appear now, and how important for us – is a big big moment,” Pochettino said postgame, adding that the team’s responsibility is to protect and support the players so they “grow in the right direction.”

After halftime, Sullivan broke the game open further by exploiting an error from Rangel. The Philadelphia Union homegrown player intercepted Rangel’s pass and finished with a left-footed lob from roughly 35 yards out, a strike that gave the U.S. a decisive advantage.

Sullivan later described the moment as one he had long imagined, telling TNT’s Melissa Ortiz that he may have pressed too high on his own when he stepped forward to close down the goalkeeper, but that the gamble was rewarded. He also said his focus after interception was on simply executing the chip—citing nerves while the ball was in the air—and credited his teammates for celebrating with him.

Pochettino also spoke to what he saw in Sullivan’s profile, praising both his attacking and defensive contributions. He highlighted Sullivan’s balance “in possession and out of possession,” describing him as a player with “tremendous quality with the ball” who also commits “to chase people and recover the ball in defense.”

Mexico and its supporters at State Farm Stadium absorbed the blows and became increasingly rattled as the match tilted toward the U.S. One turning point came when the visitors finished with fewer players after a red card. In the 67th minute, Mexico substitute Mateo Chávez committed a foul against Yunus Musah, and then Chávez was shown a red card after Sebastián Berhalter confronted him and Chávez reacted with a slap to the face.

Following that dismissal, Mexico’s second-half errors compounded their problems. The source reports that Mexico’s new head coach, Rafa Márquez, later lamented “errors – really glaring errors” in giving the U.S. opportunities and described them as mistakes that were “practically” handed to their opponents, even though the match details and final margin were already established.

With Mexico shorthanded for the remainder of the contest, Malik Tillman added the final goal. After a questionable back pass, Tillman fired Mexico’s third goal into the top corner, sealing the 3–0 scoreline.

The victory sets up the U.S. to continue its next match on Tuesday at Allianz Field, where it will face Canada. Tyler Adams, named captain by Pochettino for the occasion, said the priority is allowing the young players to demonstrate their quality when they play “fearless,” adding that the group showed that capability against Mexico.

For the U.S., the match also served as a clear public demonstration of how the staff intends to integrate MLS talent into national-team plans. With Sullivan and Hall providing finishing impact and Kochen starting in goal at 20, the U.S. left Glendale with a result that is expected to carry forward into what comes next against Canada at Allianz Field on Tuesday.