Mexico Beats USA in Gold Cup Remaining: What Stood Out and What’s Subsequent?

With a dreadful begin to the summer season within the rearview, the U.S. males’s nationwide staff had an opportunity to return away with a trophy, momentum forward of a World Cup, and worthwhile intel on a few of its youthful gamers. 

Whereas supervisor Mauricio Pochettino achieved parts of the latter two, a championship wasn’t meant to be. Mexico captured its second-straight Gold Cup title for its tenth total crown, downing america, 2-1. El Tri had not defeated the Individuals in a aggressive match in six years, the final victory coming within the 2019 remaining of this match. 

The Individuals set the tone early when Chris Richards headed house a pinpoint free-kick by Sebastian Berhalter within the fourth minute. However after that, Mexico dominated. Backed by a deafening crowd of greater than 70,000 followers at Houston’s NRG Stadium, El Tri dictated the tempo for almost all of the match. For a lot of the first half, anytime the U.S. confirmed a glimpse of hope or created one thing, Mexico shortly gained the ball again.

Within the twenty seventh minute, star ahead Raúl Jiménez beat former Fulham teammate Tim Ream to the ball and blasted a shot previous goalkeeper Matt Freese to equalize. It was a objective that felt like a very long time coming.

Raul Jimenez’s objective brings Mexico even with United States

Later within the 77th minute, Edson Alvarez scored what grew to become the game-winning objective off a header from a free kick, making it the fifth time Mexico had discovered the again of the web following a set piece on this Gold Cup. 

Listed here are takeaways from the match:

Set Items Make A Distinction

The USMNT has made set items a degree of emphasis underneath Pochettino. And within the fourth minute, Berhalter delivered a dime of a free-kick to Richards, whose header hit the underside of the crossbar earlier than bouncing over the objective line to offer the U.S. a quick 1-0 lead. 

EVERY ANGLE of Chris Richards’ WILD HEADER vs. Mexico in Gold Cup Remaining | FOX Soccer

It was similar to the successful objective Richards scored off a Berhalter free kick within the USMNT’s second group stage match in opposition to Saudi Arabia a number of weeks in the past. And it’s the type of situation the squad has been engaged on constantly all through this match. As we discovered, the USMNT has been utilizing a know-how referred to as TrackMan to help of their set piece preparation, and the staff has been engaged on these performs for not less than 15-20 minutes earlier than each Gold Cup sport.

Mexico, nevertheless, has additionally been spending further time on set items. And late within the second half, Alvarez scored a header off a free-kick to ship the ultimate 2-1 scoreline. Mexico additionally dominated the match when it got here to nook kicks, taking 12 whereas the U.S. had zero – though Mexico didn’t rating off one.

EVERY ANGLE of Edson Alvarez’s GAME-WINNING objective vs. USA within the Gold Cup Remaining | FOX Soccer

No Ethical Victories, However …

The U.S. males’s staff bought this summer season off to a near-disastrous begin. The squad misplaced consecutive friendlies – the primary a 2-1 defeat to Türkiye, the second a 4-0 throttling by Switzerland – simply days earlier than the Gold Cup kicked off. 

These outcomes have been preceded by shocking information that star gamers like Christian Pulisic, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, Yunus Musah and different mainstays wouldn’t be a part of the 26-player roster for varied causes. Whereas that actuality prompted drama inside and outdoors this system, the gamers who have been referred to as up by Pochettino seized their alternative and lots of raised their profiles and certain put themselves in competition for a roster spot at subsequent summer season’s World Cup on house soil.

Mexico Defeats USMNT: Prompt evaluation following Gold Cup Remaining matchup | FOX Soccer

The U.S. gained its Gold Cup group, benefited from the heroics of Freese in a quarterfinal penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica, and confirmed its struggle in a semifinal win over Guatemala earlier than advancing to the ultimate in opposition to rival Mexico. Finally, a youthful and fewer skilled model of the USMNT fell sufferer to drained legs in opposition to a extra high quality opponent in Mexico.

This was the final aggressive match the Individuals will play earlier than the World Cup. Certainly Pochettino has discovered lots in regards to the participant pool he has. Now, can some type of this group combined with gamers who weren’t there discover a approach to compete and win video games subsequent summer season? That’s the query.

What’s Subsequent: Pulisic and Stars Again In September?

The U.S. will host Korea Republic and Japan in a pair of friendlies on Sept. 6 in Harrison N.J., and on Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio, respectively. Each opponents have already certified for the 2026 World Cup.

This might be a compelling subsequent camp for the USMNT for a number of causes, one being the intrigue surrounding which gamers Pochettino will invite. Will Pulisic, Robinson and Musah be again with the squad? What about Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna, who have been unable to take part on the Gold Cup whereas their membership groups concurrently competed on the FIFA Membership World Cup?

Will Christian Pulisic be again when the U.S. staff regroups in September? (Photograph by Robin Alam/ISI Images/Getty Pictures)

After the performances they placed on this previous month, it looks as if a no brainer that guys like Diego Luna and Malik Tillman, who’ve developed a chemistry, in addition to Berhalter and Freese might be there. Identical goes for Richards, Ream and Tyler Adams, who’ve risen to the problem of main the group. Who else makes up that staff will present perception as to what Pochettino is considering when it comes to his roster for the World Cup.

As a reminder, as a result of the U.S. is co-hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, it doesn’t must undergo qualifying for the match. The matchups in September ought to serve the USMNT, as each opponents will preview totally different kinds the squad would possibly face subsequent summer season. 

Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At the moment and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Sturdy Like a Girl,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Comply with her at @LakenLitman.

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