Soccer News

Home

Teams

Leagues

Quizzes

Newsletter

'A little war on the field': Key storylines to watch as USMNT meets Mexico

United States of America defender Sergino Dest. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Add us as a preferred source on Google

'A little war on the field': Key storylines to watch as USMNT meets Mexico

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Oct 2, 2026 7:36 PM ET

Add us as a preferred source on Google

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The United States Men's National Team is undefeated in its new cycle under coach Mauricio Pochettino, but it's set to face its biggest test yet.

It will take on Mexico — its biggest regional rival and the current holder of every major North American soccer title — in a friendly match in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Here's what to watch for as the USMNT aims to go 3-0 in its post-World Cup matchups:

A feisty game...and an even feistier crowd

When asked about the prospective balance of the crowd for this match — it's expected to skew heavily in Mexico's favor — the USMNT's coaches and players weren't shy about sharing how it would impact them. "One nil down for us," Pochettino laughed. "We start for sure one nil down."

Pochettino went on to describe the value of a hostile environment like that, adding that he celebrated games like this as excellent learning experiences in advance of his team's next World Cup qualification process. He has a great point there. A huge portion of this young USMNT lineup hasn't faced a team like Mexico in senior competition; while the pro-Mexico crowd will be painful for them, it will help them prepare for hostile away crowds in the future.

If they're luck, it might also help them get a little more hostile themselves. "America against Mexico is one of the best games here, it’s going to be a tough game," said defender Sergiño Dest. "Sometimes there will be fights, sometimes there won’t, but we play on home soil, so we’ve got to show our passion to them and that we’re a great team and they can’t be aggressive like that against us.

"It's going to be a little war on the field, you know?"

@concacaf Chris Richards! What a header! #Concacaf #ThisIsOurs #USA #GoldCup ♬ original sound - Concacaf

A new USMNT captain — and hopefully a long-term one

The international retirement of defender Tim Ream sparked big questions about who might be the USMNT's next captain, but Pochettino answered those questions once and for all in advance of his team's Mexico clash. He announced to the world that Tyler Adams — the 27-year-old USMNT veteran and captain of the team's 2022 World Cup squad — would be taking over as captain for the foreseeable future.

Adams is an excellent choice for the role. He's a "bridge" player, experienced enough to earn serious respect from his elders but young enough to be trusted by the next generation, and crucially, he views himself as a leader regardless of whether or not he has a title to go along with it.

"Getting the armband, it doesn't mean anything to me in being a leader or being different from who I am," he said. "I'm going to be the exact same person. Obviously, I'm going to try to lead this group into a winning culture."

A balance of youth and experience on the field

Pochettino has leveraged this window as an opportunity to mix his veterans — Dest, Adams, Malik Tillman, Chris Richards and more — in with his teenaged prospects like Cavan Sullivan, Mathis Albert, Neil Pierre, Julian Hall and Justin Ellis. The results have been broadly positive, with the team pulling off a 4-1 win over Peru and a 4-2 win over Chile to open this international window. Expect Pochettino to follow a similar approach when picking his lineup against Mexico.

@mls 4 goals, 5 assists in 4 matches, all while 16 years old @Philadelphia Union #mls #ballers #goal ♬ original sound - Major League Soccer

Of all the teenagers available for selection against Mexico, Philadelphia Union star Cavan Sullivan is the most interesting. He's had a blistering start to his USMNT career, but he has zero goal involvements in two games while his 18-year-old peer Julian Hall has three. Arguing that Sullivan has yet to show up for the team would be churlish and reductive, but the truth remains that he has yet to have his big national team moment — and this Mexico match presents the biggest possible stage for him to finally make it happen.

The USMNT will meet Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

More must-reads: