17-year-old Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest USMNT scorer in 3-0 rout of Mexico

Cavan Sullivan became the youngest goalscorer in the 113-year history of the U.S. men’s national team on Saturday, chipping the Mexico keeper to put the Americans 2-0 up in a commanding 3-0 victory over El Tri at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in front of a heavily pro-Mexico crowd of more than 60,000.

The result also ended the USMNT’s winless streak against FIFA top-ten ranked opponents, with Mexico entering the exhibition match at number ten in the world rankings.

Julian Hall opened the scoring to give the USA a 1-0 lead — the 18-year-old Red Bull New York striker’s third goal in as many games since making his senior international debut. Sullivan, 17, then pounced on an errant pass by Jose Rangel to double the advantage, while Malik Tillman completed the scoring in the closing minutes.

Sullivan’s milestone added to an already remarkable fortnight. Just last weekend against Peru, he became the second-youngest player ever to start for the USMNT. His chip against Mexico, however, surpassed that achievement entirely.

Hall’s continued involvement was not guaranteed heading into this window. World Cup starter Folarin Balogun and backup Haji Wright were not called up, and Ricardo Pepi — who featured in all five games during the USA’s round-of-16 run — picked up an injury after coach Mauricio Pochettino named his squad on September 17. Hall seized the opportunity, scoring as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Peru before netting again in a 4-2 victory against Chile, earning his place in the starting lineup for the highest-profile match of the four-game window.

The win arrives against the backdrop of back-to-back losses to Mexico in 2024 and 2025 — a reversal of a run that had seen the USA beat El Tri in three straight Concacaf Nations League Finals and the 2021 Gold Cup final. Pochettino had cautioned on Friday that a young roster would experience setbacks as well as highs during this first cycle of preparation for the 2030 World Cup. His players offered a different answer on the night.

For Pochettino, the performance will serve as significant encouragement. The USA grew into the match, converted the chances they were given, and did so against their fiercest rival on a stage that rarely forgives inexperience.