A New Era of Hype
Real talk: the USMNT is officially in a new bag. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, this squad is leaning into a major generational shift, and the vibes are already immaculate. In a 3-0 win against Mexico on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, the new-look team proved they have that dog in them, even if they aren't fully polished yet.
The Young Guns Stepping Up
It wasn't always pretty. The team struggled to handle Mexico’s early pressure, but they showed a serious survivor’s mentality. 18-year-old Julian Hall—who is highkey on a heater—scored in his third straight game. He’s now only the third American to bag a goal in each of his first three caps. He found the back of the net off an assist from Gio Reyna, proving he’s always in the right place at the right time.
Then, 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan had his main character moment. After Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel gifted him the ball, Sullivan buried it for his first international goal, officially becoming the USMNT’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Malik Tillman eventually put the game on ice with a third goal, capitalizing on another Rangel error.
Defensive Grime
It wasn't just about the offense. Goalkeeper Diego Kochen, only 20, kept things locked down. When Mexico finally pushed back in the 58th minute, Kochen stepped up with a massive save that kept the U.S. in control. After Mateo Chavez picked up a red card for Mexico in the 67th minute, the U.S. was basically in cruise control to the finish line.
Why it matters
This game was an exercise in acclimating newcomers to the senior level, but the young squad proved they can handle the intensity of the rivalry. With three wins under their belt on the road to the 2030 World Cup, this team is showing that even when they’re imperfect, they know how to find solutions and secure the W.
