Kochen Shuts the Door

In His First International Start, Goalkeeper Posts a Shutout

Few goalkeepers get a debut start against Mexico. Diego Kochen got one, and he made it count. The 20-year-old kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s 3-0 win in Glendale and became the youngest goalkeeper to start for the United States against El Tri.

Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to hand him the gloves over World Cup starter Matt Freese was the biggest surprise of the lineup. Kochen had earned his first cap only a week earlier, playing the second half of the win over Peru.

Mexico tested him early, with Luis Romo’s long-range effort in the opening stretch and a loose ball in the box that Santiago Giménez couldn’t convert. Kochen’s best moment came in the 57th minute, when he deflected a hard Roberto Alvarado shot over the bar to preserve the 1-0 lead. That save came just before Cavan Sullivan doubled the advantage. He also looked comfortable on the ball.

The performance came despite a rough stretch at club level. Kochen is on loan at Lyngby in the Danish Superliga, where the newly promoted side has won just one of its first nine league games, with Kochen playing every minute and conceding 16 goals. The Miami-born keeper came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, and he hasn’t forgotten where he wants to end up. “It’d be any kid’s dream to go back to such a big club,” he said.

For now, he’s focused on the national team. “I’m just creating memories,” Kochen said. “These are some things I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.” With a goalkeeper spot seemingly open as the 2030 cycle begins, Kochen has given Pochettino plenty to think about ahead of the November Nations League quarterfinals.

Hall's Impressive Run

Young Forward Keeps the Streak Alive Against Mexico

Julian Hall has made scoring for the U.S. men’s national team look routine. On Saturday in Glendale, the 18-year-old forward did it for the third time in as many appearances, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the 28th minute.

The goal arrived at a time when the U.S. was struggling. Mexico had dominated the early stages, and Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side “never connected” and was “losing all the duels.” Then Gio Reyna sent a low cross in from the right, Raúl Rangel failed to handle it cleanly, and Hall was waiting to finish from close range with his right foot.

The strike put the New York Red Bulls forward in rare company. Only Eddie Johnson (2004-05) and Alexander Rae (1937) had previously scored in each of their first three USMNT games. Hall is also the third-youngest player to score against Mexico, at 18 years and 194 days, and reportedly the youngest in international soccer to score in his first three caps since Pelé in 1957.

His run began a week earlier with a debut goal against Peru, coming off a Sebastian Berhalter cross. He followed it by heading in a Reyna delivery against Chile, which made him the youngest American to score in his first two caps.

The production comes during a breakout year at club level. Hall has 10 goals and five assists for the Red Bulls, a team-high in goal contributions, and earned an MLS All-Star selection this summer. He signed his homegrown contract at 15.

Pochettino called the quality of his young players “a fantastic problem” to have, and said the staff will make “the right decision in the right moment.” After Saturday, Hall has made the decision more difficult.

Sullivan Rewrites History

The Teenager Playmaker's Historic Moment in Glendale

Mathis Albert had four days to enjoy the title of youngest goalscorer in U.S. Men’s National Team history. On Saturday night, Cavan Sullivan took it.

The Philadelphia Union midfielder was 17 years and five days old when he struck in the 62nd minute against Mexico. The Americans led 1-0 thanks to Julian Hall, and Sullivan’s pressure on the Mexican backline forced a poor pass from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel. Sullivan seized on it and sent a long-distance chip over Rangel and into the empty net. Albert was 17 years and 131 days old when he set the mark against Chile, and Christian Pulisic was 17 years and 253 days old before that.

He scored the goal in just his third cap, a week after becoming the youngest American to start a match since Freddy Adu in 2006.

Sullivan said his dream goal felt unreal in the moment. “I was getting nervous when it was in the air and then... it’s a blur,” he said. He also admitted that without the adrenaline, “I think I would’ve probably shed a tear.”

His relentless work without the ball earned praise from the veterans around him. Captain Tyler Adams highlighted his pressing, then added, “I think we gotta stop talking about his age. He’s here for a reason.” Mauricio Pochettino called him “a fighter” and “a warrior,” pointing to his quality on the ball and his appetite for winning it back.

Sullivan was substituted a few minutes later, receiving a hug from his coach, applause from American fans and boos from Mexico’s supporters. Auston Trusty handed him the match ball at the final whistle.

“Greatest day of my life,” Sullivan said. The U.S. won 3-0, and a young group now heads into Tuesday’s friendly with Canada.

Americans Humble Mexico

Young Squad Wins Third in a Row With the Biggest Rivals as the Latest Victim

Two teenagers and a gift-wrapped night of Mexican errors powered the U.S. men’s national team to a 3-0 friendly win over Mexico on Saturday at State Farm Stadium, the 80th meeting between the rivals.

El Tri controlled the opening 20 minutes before the Americans found their footing. In the 28th minute, Gio Reyna’s cross from the right was mishandled by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and 18-year-old Julian Hall pounced, tapping home from close range. It was his third goal in as many caps.

Rangel struck again after the hour. His pass went straight to Cavan Sullivan, who chipped a long-range effort into the empty net at 17 years and five days old, making him the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history. Sullivan broke a record Mathis Albert set just days earlier, and Mauricio Pochettino hugged him when he was substituted.

The night soured further for Mexico in the 67th minute, when halftime sub Mateo Chávez fouled Yunus Musah and then slapped Sebastian Berhalter in the face, earning a straight red. Malik Tillman punished the 10 men, pouncing on a loose back-pass to finish in the 84th minute.

Diego Kochen, making his first international start in goal, kept a clean sheet and made a fine save from Roberto Alvarado.

Rafa Márquez, losing for the first time as Mexico’s coach, did not hide his frustration. “They were very rough errors, and ultimately you end up almost, almost gifting three goals to the opposing team,” he said. Midfielder Erik Lira added that the squad wouldn’t single anyone out: “We don’t point at anyone.”

For the Americans, the win capped a strong window after victories over Peru (4-1) and Chile (4-2), and it came in the first match since Tyler Adams was named captain. Next up is Canada on Tuesday in Saint Paul.