USA Beat Mexico 3-0 in Friendly 

Teenagers Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan were on target as the United States defeated Mexico 3-0 in an international friendly at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday.

Sullivan made history with his goal, becoming the youngest player to score for the United States at the senior international level.

The 17-year-old, who is set to join English Premier League club Manchester City next year, scored in the 62nd minute to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.

At 17 years and five days, Sullivan surpassed the previous record held by Mathis Albert, who had scored for the United States at 17 years and 31 days during Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Chile.

Sullivan described the goal as a moment he had dreamed about since childhood, saying he had visualised achieving it long before learning he would start the match.

“These are the moments you dream of when you’re three, four, five or six-year-old,” Sullivan said.

“I manifested this moment, not just these past couple of hours when I found out I was starting, but my whole life,” he added.

The teenager’s landmark goal came after 18-year-old Hall had opened the scoring in the 28th minute.

Hall has now scored three goals in as many appearances since making his international debut under US coach Mauricio Pochettino in last week’s defeat to Peru. He also scored against Chile.

Mexico had started strongly, controlling possession and spending much of the opening period in US territory, but struggled to break down a disciplined American defence.

The hosts eventually took the lead through Hall after Gio Reyna collected a pass from Alex Freeman and drove into the penalty area.

Reyna moved past Mexico midfielder Erik Lira before reaching the byline and sending a low cross towards goal. Goalkeeper Raul Rangel managed to parry the ball, but Hall reacted quickly to fire the rebound into the net from close range.

Mexico came close to an equaliser early in the second half when Roberto Alvarado unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but US goalkeeper Diego Kochen tipped the shot over the crossbar.

The United States extended their advantage when Sullivan capitalised on a defensive error.

After Rangel mishit a pass outside his penalty area, Sullivan chased down the loose ball, took control and calmly lifted his shot over the goalkeeper from distance.

Sullivan later described the finish as a tense moment, saying he could only hope the ball cleared the goalkeeper and stayed inside the frame of the goal.

“I just remember chipping the ball, hoping it didn’t hit the crossbar or go over,” Sullivan said of his strike. “I was getting nervous when it was in the air and then everything was a blur.”

Mexico’s difficult evening worsened six minutes later when substitute Luis Chavez was sent off for putting his hand into the face of Sebastian Berhalter.

The United States completed the victory in the 84th minute after Malik Tillman intercepted a poor Mexico backpass and struck a powerful shot into the top corner.

The defeat adds pressure on Mexico coach Rafael Marquez, who is still searching for his first victory since taking charge following the World Cup.