In Glendale, Arizona, the United States turned a difficult evening for Mexico’s defence into a commanding 3-0 friendly victory at State Farm Stadium. Mauricio Pochettino’s side capitalised on two costly moments from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and another defensive lapse to make it three wins from three since the World Cup.
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Mexico initially looked the more assured team. Rafael Márquez’s players kept the ball well and Santiago Giménez had an opening as early as the fourth minute, but could not find a finish. The United States settled into the contest, closed down Mexico’s advances and struck after 28 minutes.
Rangel failed to hold a ball in his area and Julian Hall reacted quickest to turn the rebound home for the opening goal. Mexico had another chance before the interval, again through Giménez in the 44th minute, but his effort went wide.
The American side began the second half with greater control before Mexico responded and levelled the balance of play around the hour mark. Roberto Alvarado tested Diego Kochen in the 58th minute, with the US goalkeeper making the clearance.
Mexico’s recovery ended abruptly five minutes later. Rangel surrendered possession to Cavan Sullivan, who was left with open ground ahead of him and rolled a left-footed finish into the net for 2-0.
Matters worsened for Mexico in the 66th minute, when Mateo Chávez was sent off for violent conduct only three minutes after Sullivan’s goal. With a numerical advantage, the United States continued to press for a third and found it in the 85th minute. Malik Tillman beat Diego Campillo and finished the move to complete a night that exposed a Mexico back line far below its usual standard.
Honduran referee Selvin Brown booked Tyler Adams and Sebastian Berhalter for the United States, while Luis Romo received Mexico’s yellow card.
The next stops on the international calendar
Mexico remain in Los Angeles for their next friendly, against Chile on Tuesday. The United States travel north to Minnesota, where Canada await on the same day.
Team sheets
| United States | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Diego Kochen; Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman; Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cavan Sullivan; Malik Tillman, Julian Hall. | Raúl Rangel; Johan Vásquez, Diego Campillo, Jesús Gallardo, Israel Reyes; Luis Romo, Erik Lira, Santiago Sandoval, Orbelín Pineda, Roberto Alvarado; Santiago Giménez. |
| Changes: Yunus Musah for Sullivan, 65; Justin Ellis for Hall, 65; Brooklyn Raines for Reyna, 82; Peyton Miller for Berhalter, 82. | Changes: Mateo Chávez for Gallardo, 46; Luis Chávez for Romo, 46; Álvaro Fidalgo for Sandoval, 66; Isaías Violante for Pineda, 66; Armando González for Giménez, 73; Everardo López for Alvarado, 82; Obed Vargas for Lira, 82. |
| Coach: Mauricio Pochettino. | Coach: Rafael Márquez. |
Goals: Hall 28, Sullivan 63, Tillman 85.
