Another goal would move Pulisic level with Donovan, while a brace would give him the outright American record. That landmark would add weight to his growing importance in a fixture that has shaped the United States’ modern football identity.
Mexico’s Salvador Reyes remains the rivalry’s leading scorer with seven, according to the report. Pulisic therefore has a clear individual target, but his wider challenge is to turn personal influence into another meaningful result for the United States.
Mexico retain the historical edge, with the report listing 38 wins, 17 draws and 24 United States victories. The older record was heavily one-sided: Mexico reportedly went unbeaten in the first 21 meetings between 1937 and 1980, with the Americans collecting only three draws.
The balance has shifted since then. The United States’ defining victories include the 2-0 World Cup last-16 win in 2002, when Brian McBride and Donovan scored. That result helped cement the “Dos a Cero” reputation.
The scoreline also featured in three successive World Cup qualifying wins in Columbus, in 2001, 2005 and 2009, before Mexico ended the sequence with a 2-1 victory in 2016. The United States later responded with a 2-0 win in Cincinnati during qualifying for the 2022 tournament.
The rivalry’s competitive stakes remain clear. Mexico have reportedly won 10 Gold Cups to the United States’ seven, while the Americans lead 3-1 in Concacaf Nations League titles.
Saturday’s friendly offers Pulisic the next chance to rewrite the rivalry’s record book. A goal would bring Donovan’s mark within reach; a victory would strengthen the United States’ modern claim to regional supremacy.