Teenage star Cavan Sullivan became the youngest scorer in United States men’s national team history after he found the net with a stunning effort from distance in Saturday’s 3-0 win over rival Mexico.
Philadelphia Union midfielder Sullivan scored in the 62nd minute of the clash in Glendale, Arizona, intercepting a pass from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel midway inside the Mexico half before lobbing the ball expertly into the unguarded net.
At 17 years and five days, Sullivan takes the record as the USMNT’s youngest scorer just four days after Mathis Albert, at 17 years and 131 days, had set the mark with his goal against Chile.
The record was previously held by Christian Pulisic (17 years, 253 days).
“It’s the biggest pinch [me moment] ever,” he told TNT Sports. “These are moments you dream of since you’re 3, 4, 5, 6 years old. I manifested this moment, not just these past couple hours when I found out I was starting but my whole life.
“This is an incredible moment for my family, for me, what an honor it is. Just really grateful that the coaches trusted in me and gave me this opportunity.”
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino shared a big hug with Sullivan when he was subbed off a few minutes later.
“He’s a fighter, he’s a warrior,” Pochettino said in a news conference. “It’s difficult to find this type of player. Tremendous quality.”
Sullivan’s goal came in his third international appearance, having made his debut last week when he became the youngest player to start a game for the United States since Freddy Adu in 2006.
“I just remember chipping the ball, hoping it didn’t hit the crossbar or go over,” Sullivan said of his goal. “I was getting nervous when it was in the air and then … it’s a blur.
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“I’m really happy that the guys ran down and celebrated with me. This team’s really special.”
The memorable strike made it 2-0 for a youthful U.S. team. Another teenager, 18-year-old Julian Hall, opened the scoring in the first half off an assist from Gio Reyna.
In doing so, Hall became just the third player to score in each of his first three appearances for the USMNT, after Eddie Johnson (2004-05) and Alexander Rae (1937).
It was the first time in team history that the USMNT has scored in the first half of 10 consecutive games.
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Mateo Chávez received a red card in the 67th minute to compound a miserable night for Mexico. Chávez committed a hard foul on Yunus Musah and then smacked Sebastian Berhalter in the face with both hands when the U.S. midfielder confronted him.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman capped the scoring with his third goal in his past four USMNT appearances in the 84th minute, finding the top left corner of the net after a defensive miscue.
With a new generation of talent, Pochettino’s side has won all three of its friendlies since a disappointing World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium in the round of 16.
Saturday’s win in front of a largely pro-Mexico crowd at State Farm Stadium snapped a two-game losing streak for the U.S. against its biggest foe and was its biggest margin of victory in the series since the 2023 Concacaf Nations League semifinals.
It also made Pochettino just the seventh coach in USMNT history with 20 wins.
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The U.S. will round out the September/October international window with a friendly against Canada on Tuesday.
Mexico’s Rafael Márquez lost his first game as head coach in the heated rivalry. The 47-year-old was moved into the top job in September after serving under Javier Aguirre as assistant from August 2024 until Mexico’s loss to England in the round of 16 of this summer’s World Cup.
Márquez has failed to win any of his first three games in charge, after previous draws against Peru and Colombia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
