Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player to score for the senior United States men’s national team, scoring in the 62nd minute of a 3-0 friendly win over 10-man Mexico in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday night.
The 17-year-old Sullivan scored 34 minutes after the 18-year-old Julian Hall scored his third goal in as many appearances for the USMNT, which defeated its border rival for the first time in three tries under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Both goals came from blunders by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel, who started all five matches for El Tri at this summer’s World Cup.
Malik Tillman added a third goal in the 84th minute, 17 minutes after Mexico’s Mateo Chavez was sent off for making contact in the head and neck area of Sebastian Berhalter.
The 20-year-old Diego Kochen made one save to keep a clean sheet in his first start with the senior-level U.S. squad.
The U.S. improved to 3-0-0 during this four-match September/October international window, while Mexico is now 0-1-2 in its first three games under manager Rafa Marquez.
Hall’s third senior international goal came in the 28th minute, and he might never score an easier one.
Fullback Alex Freeman got forward to begin the attack before finding Gio Reyna sprinting into the right side of the penalty area.
Reyna received Freeman’s pass and drove a low cross to the near post. Rangel bobbled the ball in the direction of the lurking Hall, who hit a first-time volley into an empty net from close range.
Rangel’s night got worse after halftime when he tried to play a pass to center back Diego Campillo and was intercepted by Sullivan.
There was a lot left to do, and Sullivan did so superbly, lofting a 35-yard finish over Rangel and into the net.
Mexico’s best chances came in between those tallies.
In the 44th minute. U.S. fullback Antonee Robinson originally won the ball off Roberto Alvarado, but Luis Romo reached the ensuing loose ball and struck a hard, low cross from the right flank.
Kochen drove to try to push it from danger but instead directed it to Santi Gimenez, who flubbed his attempt from close range.
Alvarado tried his own luck with a well-struck side volley in the 58th minute, but Kochen made an excellent diving denial, pushing the attempt over the crossbar.
–Field Level Media
