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USMNT vs. Mexico: Key takeaways from a stunning rivalry rout

Cavan Sullivan. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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USMNT vs. Mexico: Key takeaways from a stunning rivalry rout

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Oct 4, 2026 12:14 AM ET

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The United States Men's National Team beat Mexico 3-0 in front of a packed and hostile house in Glendale, Arizona, to continue its post-World Cup undefeated streak.

Goals from Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan and Malik Tillman put the match beyond the reach of El Tri. It was the USMNT's first victory over Mexico since 2024 and its first of the Mauricio Pochettino era.

Here are the key takeaways from the statement rivalry win:

Cavan Sullivan had his breakthrough moment

The USMNT entered this window with 13 uncapped players on its roster, but all of the talk centered around one of them: Philadelphia Union attacker Cavan Sullivan. The teenager became the youngest debutant in Major League Soccer history in 2024 and has already agreed to join Manchester City when he turns 18; clearly, he has the potential to be a big part of the USMNT's next World Cup cycle.

Sullivan played in the USMNT's matches against Peru and Chile, and while he looked perfectly comfortable in his spot on the left wing, he finished both games without a breakthrough moment to hang his hat on. He finally got one in this Mexico match, and what a moment it was: a brilliant, cool-headed long-distance shot that caught Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel off his line before arcing into the net. Welcome to the stat sheet, Sullivan. We'll be seeing plenty more of you there in the future.

@ussoccer CAVAN PICKS HIS POCKET AND SENDS IT FROM WAYYYYY DOWNTOWN! @VW #usmnt #ussoccer ♬ original sound U.S. Soccer

Julian Hall went 3-for-3

Red Bull New York striker Julian Hall was anonymous for much of the first half, lonely and isolated at the top of the USMNT's lineup. He touched the ball a total of three times in the opening 27 minutes...but his fourth touch, right in the middle of Mexico's penalty box, wound up being the game's opening goal. It was Hall's third goal in as many matches for the USMNT—fittingly, he's the third player in history to achieve that feat.

Call it what you want—luck, timing, circumstance—but at the end of the day, Hall scored this goal by being exactly where he needed to be at exactly the right moment. We talk a lot about fully-formed strikers whose instincts let them down, but Hall appears to be the inverse: he has plenty of game to grow into, but his nose for goal is developed, serious and utterly on point. May he run onto long balls like a puppy running onto a frisbee for the rest of his charmed career.

@ussoccer JULIAN HALL MAKES THE CROWD COME ALIVE VS. MEXICO @VW #usmnt #mexico ♬ original sound - U.S. Soccer

Yunus Musah showed flashes of his potential

It was never going to be easy for someone to replace Sullivan after his scene-stealing second-half goal, but AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah did a serviceable job when he joined the match in the 64th minute. He was an indefatigable attacking force on the left flank, and the USMNT looked faster, stronger and more composed with him in it.

Musah has been on a strange journey with the USMNT. He fell out of favor with Pochettino after a poor performance in the Nations League in 2025 and was a non-factor in the team's World Cup journey. He fought his way back into Pochettino's good graces on the back of his club form in Italy; this match was a sign that he still has more to show.

The USMNT will close out its fall friendlies on Tuesday, Oct. 6, against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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

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