Korea smiling after football matches in New Jersey, Nashville

Korea forward Heung Min Son (7) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly football match against Mexico in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 10, 2025. AP-Yonhap

While next summer’s trip to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the important one, this shorter visit has been encouraging for Korea. A 2-0 win over the United States in New Jersey was followed by a 2-2 draw with another co-host of the tournament, Mexico, on Wednesday.

With nine months remaining until the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, results may not be the top priority, but they still hold significance. To face two of the three co-hosts, win one match and feel disappointed not to have won the other is an encouraging sign.

These two results offer a bit of hope for coach Hong Myung-bo. During qualification — when results truly mattered — the Taegeuk Warriors topped their group but did so without impressing. Fans were not exactly excited when Hong was appointed for a second spell in 2024. There are still doubts, but there would have been a lot more had Korea lost both friendly matches in the U.S.

The form of Son Heung-min is a major plus. If there were concerns that the move from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC would negatively impact his performances, the evidence has proven otherwise, as the 33-year-old scored in both matches. The Korean star came off the bench in the second half against Mexico for his 136th international appearance, tying the record held by coach Hong Myung-bo and the legendary Cha Bum-kun, and was lively throughout.

Beating the U.S. on home soil was an impressive result. Importantly, it was achieved without Lee Kang-in, who wasn’t fully fit. It was a deserved win. Perhaps Korea sat too deep in the second half and could have managed the game better, but it’s worth remembering many players had just completed a long journey to New Jersey, so some fatigue was understandable.

The three-man defense utilized by Hong showed promise, and Korea created opportunities in both games. Given Korea’s poor record against Mexico and the nine changes made to the team that faced the United States just three days earlier, there may have been some concerns — especially after Raul Jimenez opened the scoring with a fine header midway through the first half.

Yet Korea kept its cool, and Son blasted home after the break for his 53rd international goal. It looked like Oh Hyeon-gyu — who has been growing in confidence, with three goals in his last four games for the national team — had won it with 16 minutes remaining, finishing off a fine pass from Lee with a great strike. But a spectacular late goal from Santiago Gimenez earned Mexico the draw.

Still, it was a perfect test for Korea — a tough game against a tough opponent in front of a loud and passionate crowd. It wasn’t a great game, but it was a good battle. The experience should serve Korea well next summer.

Jens Castrop became the first foreign-born player to start an international game for Korea, and the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder brought both discipline and energy. Stoke City’s Bae Jun-ho combined well at times with Lee in trying to create chances going forward. While conceding a last-minute goal was disappointing, it may serve as a reminder to stay grounded.

Looking back, it was a successful trip to the U.S. It has lifted the mood in the squad, increased confidence and shown fans that Korea can compete against solid international opposition far from home. The team continues next month with games at home against Brazil and Paraguay. There is certainly something to build on now.