Mathis Albert became the youngest goal scorer in U.S. men's national team history Tuesday night, finding the net in second-half stoppage time of a 4-2 friendly win over Chile in St. Louis.
Albert, a 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder, scored at 17 years, 131 days old, breaking the mark Christian Pulisic set at 17 years, 253 days in 2016.
The goal sealed the win after Chile had pulled within 3-2. Albert redirected a pass in off the crossbar, capping a wild second half at CityPark.
"It's been amazing to share the field with some amazing players, and they put me in the right spot," Albert said through the team's postgame media availability. "I'm just doing as much as I can to put them away."
Julian Hall, an 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward, scored the equalizer for the U.S. with a second-half header that made it 2-2. Hall also scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over Peru, making him the youngest American to score in his first two senior appearances.
Hall credited his club coach, former U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley, for his rapid development.
"He's helped us so much in our development, and he's a big reason as to why me and him are here right now," Hall said. "He gave us amazing advice before we got here."
The starting XI against Chile averaged 23 years, 25 days old, the youngest lineup since Mauricio Pochettino took over as head coach in September 2024. Pochettino has used these friendlies to evaluate young talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Albert's record adds his name to a lineage of American teenagers who broke through early. Pulisic, now at AC Milan, set the previous mark during his rise at Dortmund and has since become the program's most accomplished player.
Chile, a two-time Copa America champion, fielded an experienced side but could not contain the Americans' pace in transition. The U.S. scored four goals in a friendly for the second straight match.
The win gives Pochettino more data as he builds toward 2026. With Albert and Hall both under 19, the U.S. attack could look dramatically different when the World Cup arrives on American soil.
