STATE FARM STADIUM (Glendale, Ariz.) — USA vs Mexico ended 3-0 on Saturday, halting the U.S. men’s national team’s run without a victory over a FIFA top-10 opponent. In front of more than 60,000 predominantly El Tri supporters, the Americans beat their No. 10-ranked rivals with goals from Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan, and Malik Tillman.
Eighteen-year-old forward Julian Hall struck for a third consecutive match, 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan added the second, and Malik Tillman sealed it late. Here are the key takeaways.
Statement Over Biggest Rival
Recent meetings had swung toward Mexico after a period of U.S. dominance that included three straight Concacaf Nations League titles and the 2021 Gold Cup. The tide shifted again in Glendale. An undermanned U.S. side had fallen in a friendly in Guadalajara and the 2025 Gold Cup final in Houston, but this time Mauricio Pochettino’s young roster grew into the contest and converted its chances.
After comfortable wins over Peru and Chile late last month, Pochettino cautioned there would be bumps with a first-cycle squad for 2030. The group delivered instead, absorbing pressure before capitalizing, an encouraging sign for the months ahead.
USA vs Mexico: Record-setting moment for Sullivan
Last weekend against Peru, Cavan Sullivan became the second-youngest starter in U.S. men’s national team history. Against Mexico, he achieved an even larger milestone, intercepting a stray Jose Rangel pass and deftly chipping the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. According to team officials, Sullivan is now the youngest goalscorer in the program’s 113-year history.
Hall seizes his chance up front
Hall’s place was far from assured entering the window, with World Cup starter Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright not called this time and Ricardo Pepi injured after the roster was named on Sept. 17. Since debuting in the 4-1 win over Peru, Hall has made the most of each opportunity, scoring off the bench in that match and then again in his first start against Chile.
Pochettino kept the Manhattan-born striker in the lineup for the marquee meeting in Glendale, and Hall rewarded that faith with the opener following one of the USA’s few prolonged spells of first-half possession. With senior forwards expected to return soon, Hall could rejoin the U-20s or Olympic-bound U-23s, but his finishing has given the staff a decision to make ahead of next month’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
Kochen’s big stop underscores potential
The goalkeeper pipeline has thinned in recent years, but 20-year-old Diego Kochen is viewed as a top U.S. prospect. Starting him in a charged atmosphere spoke to the staff’s confidence. His quality showed in the 58th minute with a standout save on Roberto Alvarado to preserve a 1-0 lead, a pivotal moment on the way to a clean sheet.
Whether Kochen keeps the No. 1 shirt, remains as an understudy, or returns to youth teams remains to be seen. Given his age, competition, and ceiling, he is firmly in the conversation.
4 1/2. Next up, Canada
The turnaround is brief. The U.S. faces Canada on Tuesday, led by American coach Jesse Marsch. While the United States holds the all-time series edge at 17 wins to 12 losses with two draws, it has only one victory in the last six meetings, including the most recent in 2025. The question now is whether the team can extend the momentum in Minnesota.
Scoring summary: Hall opened the scoring, Sullivan doubled the advantage, and Tillman added a late third to cap a comprehensive rivalry win.