GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mexico national team coach Rafael Márquez says his players practically gifted the goals to the United States in a 3-0 loss on Saturday night at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix.
Teenagers Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan scored the first two goals for the U.S. after errors from Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel before some more subpar defending allowed Malik Tillman to round out the scoring.
– Sullivan, 17, becomes youngest USMNT scorer with stunner in win vs. Mexico
– USMNT player ratings: Sullivan, Hall 9/10 in big win vs. Mexico
“Yes, we do lack a bit more clarity going forward in the final third and need to create more plays. That’s my takeaway,” Márquez said in a news conference. “The other issues were terrible mistakes where, ultimately, you practically gifted those three goals to the opposing team.”
Márquez was coaching against the U.S. for the first time after replacing Javier Aguirre following the 2026 World Cup. Mexico has yet to win during the September/October international window, recording two draws and one loss. Marquez now becomes the first Mexico coach to fail to win his first three games in charge since Manuel Lapuente in 1997, not including interim managers.
But the coach said Mexico can take positives from the bruising defeat after playing well up until Hall opened the scoring in the 28th minute
“It’s simple. In football, you win, draw and lose, you have to be prepared for that,” Márquez said. “The most important thing is knowing how to bounce back, engaging in self-criticism to understand what we did right and what we did wrong, and then continuing to work.
“It’s a process, and I’m confident we can maintain the level of play we showed against Colombia, at least up until the 28th minute [tonight], when the goal was scored. I think there are positives to take away, but obviously, we need to be self-critical, understand what happened, and bounce back as quickly as possible because we have another match coming up.”
Mexico led with 61% possession and four shots on goal in the first half, but failed to convert any of their opportunities in the final third.
Santiago Gimenez started the game as the central striker before being replaced by Armando González in the second half.
“Santi, I do think he needs more minutes, obviously, to get into better shape especially since he was dealing with an issue,” Márquez said of Giménez, who is currently on loan at FC Porto from AC Milan. “He wasn’t able to play in the first two matches; we have confidence in him, and hopefully, he’ll get more opportunities to find a better rhythm.”
Mexico will look to give Márquez his first win in charge against Chile on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
