Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen started as starters

Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen entered as starters for

According to Foxsports.

Why it matters

The match between the United States and Mexico is not just a friendly but an important opportunity for young players to showcase their skills in front of a large crowd. The start of Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen shows coach Mauricio Pochettino's confidence in youth, which is important for the future of the team, especially with the approaching World Cup 2026 football.

Key Points

• Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen entered as starters for.
• The United States fielded a combination of youth and experience against Mexico: starters Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen, along with veteran captain Tyler Adams in Glendale.
• Cavan Sullivan And Barcelona Prospect Diego Kochen Start For USA vs. Mexico | FOX Sports.

STATE FARM STADIUM (Glendale, Arizona) — The United States began its resounding friendly against rival Mexico by fielding two teenagers in the starting eleven: 17-year-old winger Cavan Sullivan and 20-year-old goalkeeper Diego Kochen. It reinforced what coach Mauricio Pochettino said he would mix youth and experience in his squad for the match near Phoenix, where around 64,000 seats are expected to be filled. Kochen, a product of Barcelona and currently on loan at Lyngby in Denmark for the 2026–27 season, started after a fine debut at the senior level: he did not concede a goal in 45 minutes of action against Peru in a 4-1 US win. The United States also defeated Chile, 4-2, this Tuesday in St. Louis, where Chris Brady and Brian Schwake watched for half an hour and each was drilled once. Between positional options, Pochettino chose Kochen over Matt Freese—the goalkeeper in all five of the United States' World Cup 2026 matches. For Sullivan, who also featured as a starter against Peru before coming off the bench in the win over Chile, it was another step in his rapid rise. He is now one of the youngest starters for the national program in more than a century—testament to the new leadership's aggressive confidence in youth.

The United States is not just youth. The starting group includes two-time World Cup winners Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna, as well as captain Tyler Adams. World Cup 2026 goalscorers Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter and Auston Trusty also feature on the options list, an indication that Pochettino is keeping the backbone of the team while giving new faces big minutes. Up front, 18-year-old Julian Hall of Red Bull New York will lead the attack—his second straight start after scoring in his first two international appearances last month. Hall's entry, along with the heavy responsibilities given to Sullivan and Kochen, shows a clear direction: expand the player pool while establishing an identity in the post-World Cup cycle. In the context of this longer international window, this will be the United States' third match after dumping Peru and getting past Chile. They will finish camp on Tuesday against Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although not included on the official World Cup roster, Kochen first served as a training keeper prior to the tournament and has since logged minutes in Denmark's Superliga, including one shutout in nine appearances (16 total goals). For Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, the friendly against Mexico is more than a traditional rivalry. It's also a test of the balance of experience and potential—a blueprint he seems to want to instill for the new era of the United States national team.

What's next

In the coming weeks, the coach is expected to continue to emphasize the balance of experience and youth in his lineup. Young players like Sullivan and Kochen could be an important part of the team as the United States adjusts its season outlook towards the 2026 World Cup, so their performance in the next friendly matches will be critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the fight between the United States and Mexico?

No article score given.

How does this match affect the United States' standings in the 2026 World Cup?

There is no information about the standings of the United States in the article.

When is the United States' next match after the friendly against Mexico?

There is no information about the United States' next match in the article.

Who are the young players who started in the United States vs. Mexico game?

The young players who started were Cavan Sullivan and Diego Kochen.

What teams does Diego Kochen belong to?

Diego Kochen is a product of Barcelona and is currently on loan at Lyngby.

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