“Dos a cero” is etched into the minds of American soccer fans as the defining moment in the USMNT’s rivalry with Mexico. While Mauricio Pochettino has yet to secure a win in this fixture, Saturday’s match might merely be a footnote as the rivalry’s future takes center stage through Cavan Sullivan and Gilberto Mora.
Both 17-year-olds are making waves in their respective domestic leagues, operating in central midfield and potentially representing the finest prospect from either nation. Despite the immense pressure, both appear prepared for the moment at such a young age, making this an exceptionally exciting prospect. Mora has already experienced the World Cup with El Tri, while Sullivan is in his first senior national team camp, demonstrating that he belongs and is ready for the challenge as the future has never looked brighter for either country.
USMNT veterans like Antonee Robinson are ensuring the younger squad members understand the stakes of this matchup. The crowd is often pro-Mexico, even on American soil; the tackles are tougher, and regardless of whether it is a friendly or a competitive match, victory is the only objective.
“It feels really personal, and you want to be the winner of that derby,” Robinson said ahead of USMNT training. “That’s what we’re going to bring now. No one’s walking into this thinking it’s a friendly.”
Sergino Dest supported this view. “It’s gonna be like a little war on the field,” Dest said, describing what the younger players can expect. “Obviously, these are the toughest games, and you will feel it—the crowd, the fans from both sides, the atmosphere is gonna be amazing, and obviously sometimes they can be a little bit nervous; it’s normal. But the only thing I can help them with is just to stay calm and believe in all the abilities they trained for all these years, and just show what you’ve got because that’s what we need.”
For Sullivan, whose post-World Cup breakout began against Cruz Azul with the Philadelphia Union, he knows what to expect as the USMNT aims to build momentum. Mexico are the reigning Concacaf Gold Cup and Nations League champions, something the USMNT can target changing in November’s Nations League semifinals. For now, the young players have adapted well, with Pochettino surrounding them with experienced leaders during this learning process.
“The guys who have come into camp new and haven’t obviously experienced this kind of first-team level before; they’re obviously getting to grips with the level and the intensity of training, the intensity of matches when they first play,” Robinson said. “But then as soon as game day happens, that kind of goes out the window, and it’s deal with the task at hand, and the older boys who are more experienced will be there to kind of give our sort of guidance to the boys. But they just got to get out there and perform and show the fight that everyone has to show to get to this level and be representing the States.”
That adjustment has worked so far, and it is why Sullivan seems destined for this squad for years to come. He has been one of MLS’s best performers, matching Lionel Messi with 13 combined goals and assists since the World Cup final as he led the Union into the playoffs from the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The call into Pochettino’s squad was earned, and he has looked like he belongs from the start. While he is still searching for his first goal contribution with the national team, he has not looked out of place, and Mexico will be the perfect test. Sullivan is not alone in thriving, as Julian Hall and Justin Ellis are excelling in attack, fueling the excitement around this team. Mexico already has their teenage hope in Mora, who started in midfield at this summer’s World Cup, while American talents are emerging to define this rivalry for years to come.
Sullivan and Mora play slightly different roles in midfield, with Mora operating deeper, but both are excelling at their clubs, and their future trajectories could be remarkable. Mora has signed a new contract with Club Tijuana, while Sullivan has an arrangement to join Manchester City once he turns 18 next year. Despite their age, the signs of superstardom are evident. Sullivan still has ground to cover to match Mora’s current importance to his national team, but he is moving in the right direction, which is all American fans can ask for. Soccer is elevated when the United States and Mexico battle for supremacy, and with these two, the core of that competition will be established for years to come.