Most of the fans who packed State Farm Stadium for the soccer rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico men's national teams on Saturday, Oct. 3, went home quite dissatisfied — thanks to teenagers Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan and FIFA World Cup standout Malik Tillman.
The U.S. handed Mexico a 3-0 thrashing that surely didn't go over well with its many fans in both the United States and Mexico and spoiled the rivalry debut for new Mexico head coach and national team legend Rafael Marquez, who suffered a loss for the first time as coach.
The game was played in Glendale, usually a home-away-from-home for Mexico. The stadium was the site of numerous Mexican national team games over the years. But the U.S. team, which has looked considerably better than
Mexico in the current series of friendlies, won its third straight game since the World Cup.
The U.S. has wins over Peru, Chile and now Mexico with one more match left in its current international match window. That will be against Canada on Oct. 6 in Minnesota.
Mexico drew 1-1 with both Peru and Colombia, with its present and future star Gilberto Mora in the lineup. But Mora, dealing with an injury but reportedly cleared to play against the U.S., was not eligible for selection for Oct. 3.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino fielded a lineup featuring several young players, including 17-year-old Sullivan, who scored an improbable goal in the 63rd minute. Sullivan intercepted a pass attempt from Mexico goalie José Rangel with his right foot and scored easily with no one in net to stop his shot.
That came long after the U.S. scored first, when defender Alex Freeman sent a long ball to the end line to Gio Reyna, who centered the ball on goal. Rangel stopped the shot, but the deflection came out to Hall, who put away the loose ball in the 28th minute.
THREE GAMES. THREE GOALS. JULIAN HALL.#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/IPGeTrZ7wR
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) October 4, 2026
Hall, just 18, was playing in just his third match for the national team, and he's scored in each one. He plays for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.
Sullivan, from MLS club Philadelphia Union, became the youngest goal scorer in U.S. men's soccer history.
After Sullivan's goal, the fans began to let Mexico hear it, and on the pitch, Mexico came unglued. Mateo Chavez was issued a red card for striking a U.S. player, and Mexico was down to 10 players.
CAVAN SULLIVAN PICKS HIS POCKET AND SENDS IT IN FROM WAYYYYYY DOWNTOWN! #USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/tTiumwSPsS
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) October 4, 2026
Then came the offensive chant that Mexico fans have for years been warned by FIFA and the Mexican soccer federation not to use when the opposing goalkeeper has a goal kick: a four-letter vulgarity in Spanish that the federation and FIFA have tried to abolish but have been unsuccessful.
This time, however, fans used the word on Rangel as he made goal kicks.
Tillman finished off Mexico with a goal in the 83rd minute, taking advantage of another mistake from the Mexico defense. Many folks in green jerseys then began heading for the exits.
Early on, Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez created a matchup problem for the American defense and broke free for scoring chances. Gimenez had a golden opportunity in the 43rd minute when a cross from teammate Luis Romo went off the hands of U.S. goalkeeper Diego Kochen, making his first start for the national team.
Gimenez was there to collect the rebound, but his toe-tap was off balance and missed wide left from close range.
Moments into the match, Gimenez was in position for a possible goal but stumbled and fell near the goal trying to get a foot on a pass slightly behind him, and Mexico missed a big chance to seize momentum right away.
Later, Gimenez broke free with a run on goal but had his attempt blocked.
In the second half, Mexico just missed a tying goal when Roberto Alvarado fired from the right side directly on goal, only to have Kochen show quick hands with a deflection over the net in the 58th minute.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teenage phenoms lead U.S. men to easy win over Mexico in Glendale
