Under sunny skies, the U.S. men's national soccer team went through its paces at the Phoenix Rising FC practice field on Thursday, Oct. 1, having gotten off the team bus to be greeted by Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash.
The Americans, fresh off two wins in friendlies over Chile and Peru late last month, arrived in the Phoenix area for the continuation of their rivalry with regional foe Mexico, in what is sure to be a festive atmosphere at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The current slate of friendlies for the USMNT marks the first matches the team has played since the 2026 FIFA World Cup over the summer. The U.S. made it to the Round of 16 in the World Cup before being knocked out by Belgium in a 4-1 thrashing at Lumen Field
in Seattle on July 6.
There are many players on the roster who took part in the World Cup, but also some newer names and young players getting a first look from head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the September-October international window.
Suns legend Steve Nash greets U.S. soccer players at @PHXRisingFC complex this morning. #USMNT is in town for Saturday game vs. Mexico. pic.twitter.com/Pr6n7UuEzg
— José M. Romero (@RomeroJoseM) October 1, 2026
"After the first game of the World Cup, the belief was high," defender Sergiño Dest said. "I think everybody saw that it could potentially lead to something. ... We're just going to keep building and it's going to be great. I feel like the fans can expect us to still grow and hopefully get a better run in upcoming tournaments."
Dest noted that the return of Pochettino as head coach, after there was talk of him departing after the World Cup, is also a difference maker in the potential improvement of the team.
Mexico figures to have a decided advantage in fan support, as it often does in games it plays in most venues in the United States. A sellout crowd is a possibility and it's likely that more than 50,000 fans will be in the seats at the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The past two matches between the U.S. and Mexico in Glendale have resulted in draws, 1-1 in 2023 and 2-2 in 2014.
In 2007, the Americans prevailed, 2-0, in the famous "Dos a Cero" match that has become a rallying cry for U.S. fans whenever Mexico is the opponent.
Mexico has the edge in the overall series, 38 wins, 17 draws, 24 losses against the U.S. The last time the two sides met, Mexico won the Concacaf Gold Cup final in Houston, 2-1, in July 2025. But the U.S. is 21-12-13 all-time against Mexico on American soil.
"It's always fierce competition, you want to win," U.S. defender Antonee "Jedi" Robinson said of playing Mexico. "Everyone knows what this game means."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: US men's national soccer team readies for rival Mexico
