USMNT Faces Off Against Mexico in Rivalry Match in Glendale
The U.S. Men's National Team will take on its longtime rival, Mexico, tomorrow in Glendale, Arizona, in the penultimate match of the team's fall international schedule.
GLENDALE (Oct. 2, 2026) – The U.S. Men's National Team will take on its longtime rival, Mexico, tomorrow in Glendale, Arizona, in the penultimate match of the team's fall international schedule. The matchup renews one of the sport's most storied rivalries, a series that dates back to 1934 and has produced decades of memorable moments, fierce competition, and regional pride. With another passionate crowd expected, the match offers the U.S. internationals – young and veteran - a chance to test itself against its most familiar and demanding opponent.
The “Duel in the Desert” takes place Oct. 3 in Glendale, Ariz. at State Farm Stadium. Kickoff from the home of the Arizona Cardinals is 7 p.m. MT (10 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast on TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock. [TICKETS]
The match will be carried live on radio as Westwood One Sports delivers English language commentary while longtime partner Fútbol de Primera has the Spanish language call.
Fans can follow the USMNT on X (@USMNT), Instagram (@USMNT), Facebook and the official U.S. Soccer App.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 2/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 20/0), Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub/DEN; 1/0), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC; 1/0)
DEFENDERS (10): George Campbell (West Bromwich Albion FC/ENG; 2/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 45/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 24/3), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; 1/0), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union; 2/0), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 41/4), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 60/5), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 42/3), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 12/1), Frankie Westfield (Philadelphia Union; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 60/2), Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 2/1), Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough/ENG; 20/4), Zavier Gozo (Crystal Palace/ENG; 1/0), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York; 2/0), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 48/1), Brooklyn Raines (New England Revolution; 2/0), Gio Reyna (RC Strasbourg Alsace/FRA; 45/10), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 37/6)
FORWARDS (5): Cole Campbell (SV Elversberg/GER; 0/0), Damion Downs (St. Louis City SC; 7/0), Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC; 1/1), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York; 2/2), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 2/0)
BACK TO BACK
The USMNT’s 4-2 victory over Chile marked its second-consecutive match scoring four goals, following the team’s 4-1 victory against Peru in Orlando. The matches against Peru and Chile mark the most recent time the U.S. has scored at least four goals in consecutive matches, which is the most combined goals ever against non-Concacaf opponents. The previous record against non-Concacaf opponents was seven combined goals against Lichtenstein and Poland in 1990. During the 2023 Gold Cup group stage matches the U.S. recorded its most recent consecutive four goal performances with two 6-0 victories against Concacaf opponents St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago. The match also featured a goal from Julian Hall, which made him the first player to score in his first two caps for the USMNT since Patrick Agyemang in 2025 against Venezuela and Costa Rica.
BERHALTER IN BUSINESS
Midfielder Sebastain Berhalter became the first USMNT player since Landon Donovan in 2013 to record a goal and assist in consecutive matches, while also being the youngest to accomplish the feat. Berhalter came off the bench against Peru, providing an assist to Julian Hall in the 72nd minute, before ending the match with a 90th minute strike from outside the box. The midfielder followed up that performance with a start against Chile, in which he scored the opener in the 37th minute, before assisting Chris Richards on the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute. Since the end of 2025, Berhalter has appeared in 13 consecutive matches for the USMNT. In 2026, Berhalter has registered the most USMNT goal contributions with four goals and two assists in total.
Emerging as a leader within the team, head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Berhalter for his recent performances: “He is a player that the commitment, the energy, everything he does is for the badge, for the national team, for the teammates - of course for him, but he is a very good role model player for the players that arrive the first time or maybe are watching from home, in the way we expect the players to behave.”
DUEL IN THE DESERT
Saturday’s matchup will be the 80th meeting of the storied USA-Mexico rivalry. Since 2021, the U.S, holds a 5W-2L-2D advantage, including victories in the 2021 and 2024 editions of the Concacaf Nations League Finals as well as the 2021 Gold Cup championship match. Most recently, the teams met in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final, a 2-1 win for the visitors. Serving as the USA’s most frequent opponent, the all-time series currently stands at 24W-38L-17D across 92 years of competition. The first iteration of the rivalry was a FIFA World Cup qualifier in 1934, a 4-2 defeat in Rome, Italy. The USA and Mexico have met at least one time throughout the past 16 years, excluding 2020. Mexico is currently ranked 10th in the world.
In the most famous encounter between the U.S. and Mexico, the USMNT defeated El Tri by a scoreline of 2-0 to eliminate them in the Round of 16 during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea Republic. Led by goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan, the familiar phrase “Dos a Cero” was firmly solidified American in history, following two previous 2-0 results against Mexico in 2000 and again in 2001. Since 2000, the U.S. has a 19W-11L-8D record against Mexico.
GOOD TIMES IN GLENDALE
The sides have met in Arizona on three separate occasions, with the U.S. undefeated in all three encounters going 1W-0L-2D. The most recent matchup in Glendale resulted in a 1-1 draw on April 19, 2023, with the U.S. goal coming from Jesús Ferreira. The USMNT holds a 3W-1L-2D record overall at State Farm Stadium. The first encounter came on Feb. 7, 2007, in a 2-0 victory with goals from Jimmy Conrad and Landon Donovan to clinch the first Dos a Cero in Glendale.
ROSTER NOTES
IN FOCUS: MEXICO
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Padilla (Athletic Club/ESP; 0/0), Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara/MEX; 20/0), Óscar García (Club León/MEX; 1/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Víctor Guzmán (Monterrey/MEX; 7/1), Mateo Chávez (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 13/1), Everardo López (Toluca/MEX; 4/0), Diego Campillo (Guadalajara/MEX; 2/0), Johan Vásquez (Genoa/ITA; 51/3), Jorge Sánchez (Atlas/MEX; 64/3), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca/MEX; 128/3), Israel Reyes (Club América/MEX; 39/2)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Denzell García (FC Juárez/MEX; 4/0), Jeremy Márquez (Cruz Azul/MEX; 2/0), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid/ESP; 11/0), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis/ESP; 9/1), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens/GRE; 96/12), Luis Romo (Guadalajara/MEX; 68/5), Érik Lira (Cruz Azul/MEX; 30/0), Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana/MEX; 13/1), Santiago Sandoval (Guadalajara/MEX; 1/0), Hugo Camberos (Guadalajara/MEX; 1/0), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow/RUS; 47/5
FORWARDS (5): Isaías Violante (Club América/MEX; 3/0), Germán Berterame (Inter Miami CF;11/2), Armando González (Olympiacos/GRE; 9/1), Santiago Giménez (FC Porto/POR; 52/6), Hirving Lozano (LA Galaxy; 76/18), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara; 75/5)
SWEET SIXTEEN
Joining with the U.S. as one of the host countries during FIFA World Cup 2026, Mexico had an impactful tournament, playing two group stage and both knockout matches at the Estadio Azteca. After a strong result against Ecuador and an inspired effort against England in the knockout rounds, Mexico vaulted up to 10th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings.
MARQUEZ IN MEXICO
Mexican legend Rafa Marquez became the head coach of Mexico on July 8, 2026, following the team’s elimination from FIFA World Cup 2026. Prior to that, Marquez served as assistant coach for the national team beginning in 2024. Prior to joining the Mexico setup, Marquez worked as manager for Barça Atlétic.
A heralded player in Mexican history, the former defender made 148 appearances for his country while scoring 17 goals from 1997 to 2018. Marquez competed in five World Cups for the Mexican national team: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018.
MLS CONNECTION
The Mexico roster features two players who apply their trade in MLS, forwards Germán Berterame and Hirving Lozano. Berterame plays for Inter Miami, while Lozano is at the LA Galaxy. Lozano is one of the most senior players on the roster with 76 appearances and a team-high 18 goals for Mexico in his international career.