GLENDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2026) – In the 80th edition of the storied rivalry, the U.S. Men's National Team defeated 10th-ranked Mexico 3-0 in the highly-anticipated “Duel in the Desert” that brought together the two FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts and Concacaf heavyweights for the first time since 2025.
To help the U.S. record its third straight multi-goal win in the new era under head coach Mauricio Pochettino were two teenage MLS players – 18-year-old Julian Hall and 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan. Hall of Red Bull New York scored in the first half for his third goal in his first three caps and Sullivan of Philadelphia Union doubled the USA’s lead to become the youngest goal scorer in program history.
Midfielder Malik Tillman in his 38th cap put the exclamation point on a big night for the USMNT with a statement finish in the 84th minute. The 3-0 victory ties the USA’s second-largest margin of victory over Mexico set in 1995.
Earning his 61st cap, midfielder Tyler Adams captained the USMNT for the second time in the fall window and the first time since being named USMNT captain by Pochettino.
Adams and Tillman were among five starters who were part of the previous meeting with Mexico on July 6, 2025, in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final along with midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, fullback Alex Freeman and center back Chris Richards. They joined Hall, Sullivan and goalkeeper Diego Kochen who earned their first career start against Mexico in the same window as their first cap.
In his first international start, Kochen and his backline were tested in the opening minutes of the match. A clearance landed at the feet of Mexico forward Roberto Alvarado inside the box. Fullback Antonee Robinson and the U.S. defense responded to block forward Santiago Gimenez’s shot from close range off Alvarado's ball across goal.
Kochen showed his ability to play with the ball at his feet throughout the first half, and in the 13th minute, he showed good judgment to disrupt a near moment for Mexico when a ball traveled into no man’s land for a 1v1 situation. Though Mexico midfielder Oberlin Pineda was clearly in an offsides position, the 20-year-old Kochen read the through ball and came off his line to collect at the top of his box.
After the opening minutes in which Mexico controlled more possession, the U.S. in the 16th minute sparked an attack and took its first of eight shots. Robinson made a fantastic throw-in vertically up the pitch for Tillman, and the midfielder fearlessly took on three Mexican defenders with some nifty footwork. Tillman’s shot was blocked and went out-of-bounds to lead to back-to-back corner kicks for the U.S.
The two rivals continued to battle, and in the 28th minute the Americans broke through with a goal in the first half for the 10th straight match, the longest streak in program history. Midfielder Gio Reyna’s cross into the six-yard box was initially blocked by Mexico goalkeeper Jose Rangel, and Hall was in the right place at the right time to clean up the scraps with a clinical finish.
With his goal, Hall becomes just the third player in USMNT history to score three goals in his first three games joining Eddie Johnson (2004-05) and Alexander Rae (1937).
Head coach Rafael Márquez’s side grew more aggressive after falling behind. Led by Richards and center back Auston Trusty, paired together for just the second time, the USMNT did well defensively not to concede a goal and limited Mexico to zero shots on target in the first half. Minutes before the break, Kochen got just enough of a hand to disrupt a clear-cut chance from close range for Gimenez.
The USMNT started the second half on the front foot with back-to-back possessions that contained sparkling moments, including a give-and-go that Tillman heeled to Reyna for a long, driven cross into the box.
In the 58th minute, Mexico nearly equalized on a direct free kick taken about 25 yards from goal by Mexico midfielder Luis Chavez. Kochen made a terrific save to slap Alvarado’s well-hit volley over the crossbar and preserve the USA's clean sheet on the night and first of this window.
The U.S. doubled its lead in the 62nd minute behind the first international goal from Sullivan. The Philadelphia native smartly applied pressure to intercept a pass from Rangel and took advantage of an empty net to become the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history.
In the 67th minute, Mexico defender Mateo Chávez was issued a red card for violent conduct. Mexico played the remainder of the match with 10 men on the pitch.
Leading 2-0, the U.S. did not sit back and looked to extend its lead over its neighboring rival. In the 73rd minute, Richards attempted a header that was just off target and Freeman, in his 24th consecutive appearance, cracked a shot from outside the box that just missed to the left of goal.
And in the 84th minute, the USMNT’s relentless pressure paid off with another heads-up play. This time on the takeaway was Tillman who stepped in to intercept a pass back in Mexico’s defense, and the midfielder finished with a fantastic strike to record his seventh international goal.
The USMNT will look for its fourth win of the four-match slate in three days on Tuesday, Oct. 6 against fellow FIFA World Cup 2026 co-host and Round of 16 participant Canada at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – JULIAN HALL, 28th minute: Defender Alex Freeman split a pair of Mexico defenders to reward a well-timed run from midfielder Gio Reyna into the 18-yard box on the right side of the pitch. Reyna took one touch to beat another defender, then struck a cross with his right foot toward the near post. Goalkeeper Jose Rangel made the block and forward Julian Hall pounced on the ricochet with a driven, right-footed finish. USA 1, MEX 0
USA – CAVAN HALL, 62nd minute: The U.S. cleared away a free kick attempt from Mexico that led to a pass back to Rangel outside of his box. Sullivan applied pressure, and Rangel made a poor pass that the teenager intercepted. Sullivan lifted a left-footed strike from about 30 yards from goal that delicately curled into the back of the net untouched. USA 2, MEX 0
USA – MALIK TILLMAN, 84th minute: The U.S. applied pressure as Mexico passed in their defensive half. A pass back ventured wide, and Tillman raced to outsprint the defender and beat the goalkeeper. Tillman struck the ball with his left foot and his shot from 10 yards out and few steps left of the penalty spot flew into the back of the net. USA 3, MEX 0
Additional Notes:
– U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT –
Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Mexico
Date: October 3, 2026
Competition: International Match
Venue: State Farm Stadium; Glendale, Ariz.
Attendance: 64,932
Kickoff: 7:00 MST
Weather: Indoors
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| MEX | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – Julian Hall | 28th minute |
| USA – Cavan Sullivan | 63 |
| USA – Malik Tillman | 84 |
Lineups:
USA: 24-Diego Kochen; 16-Alex Freeman, 3-Chris Richards, 6-Auston Trusty, 5-Antonee Robinson; 14-Sebastian Berhalter (15-Brooklyn Raines, 82), 4-Tyler Adams (Capt.), 17-Malik Tillman (27-Mathis Albert, 88); 8-Cavan Sullivan (10-Yunus Musah, 65), 19-Julian Hall (22-Justin Ellis, 65), 7-Gio Reyna (13-Peyton Miller, 82)
Substitutes not used: 1-Matt Freese, 28-Brian Schwake, 2-Sergiño Dest, 9-Damion Downs, 11-Zavier Gozo, 18-George Campbell, 20-Neil Pierre, 21-Frankie Westfield, 23-Cole Campbell, 26-Adri Mehmeti
Head Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
MEX: 1-Jose Rangel;15-Israel Reyes, 3-Diego Campillo, 5-Johan Vasquez (Capt.), 23-Jesus Gallardo (20-Mateo Chavez, 45); 28-Santiago Sandoval (8-Alvaro Fidalgo, 66), 6-Erik Lira (18-Obed Vargas, 81), 7-Luis Romo (24-Luis Chavez, 45); 11-Santiago Gimenez (14-Armando Gonzalez, 72), 25-Roberto Alvarado (27-Everado Lopez, 81), 17-Orbelin Pineda (26-Isaias Violante, 66)
Substitutes not used: 12-Oscar Garcia, 2-Jorge Sanchez, 4-Victor Guzman, 9-German Berterame, 13-Dagoberto Espinoza, 16-Angel Marquez, 19-Denzell Garcia, 21-Hugo Camberos
Head Coach: Rafael Marquez
Stats Summary: USA / MEX
Shots: 8 / 6
Shots on Goal: 4 / 1
Saves: 1 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 9
Offsides: 2 / 4
| Misconduct Summary | |
| MEX – Luis Romo (Caution) | 35th minute |
| USA – Tyler Adams (Caution) | 62 |
| MEX – Mateo Chavez (Ejection) | 67 |
| USA – Sebastian Berhalter (Caution) | 68 |
Officials:
Referee: Selvin Brown (HON)
Assistant 1: Roney Salinas (HON)
Assistant 2: Gerson Orellana (HON)
Fourth Official: Jefferson Escobar (HON)
Michelob Ultra Man of the Match: Tyler Adams