Mexico conquers USMNT to claim 10th Gold Cup title
- The United States scored first in the match, taking a 1-0 lead early on.
- Mexico equalized in the first half and scored the winning goal late in the second half.
- The victory marked Mexico's 10th Gold Cup title and a disappointing end to the U.S. tournament run.
In the Gold Cup final held on July 6, 2025, Mexico faced off against the United States in Houston, Texas. The match began with a strong start for the United States, as midfielder Sebastian Berhalter assisted Chris Richards in scoring a header just four minutes into the game, giving the U.S. an early 1-0 lead. However, Mexico quickly responded, controlling possession and finding their equalizer through Raúl Jiménez in the 27th minute. The game was intense with both teams vying for dominance. The turning point came in the 77th minute when Edson Alvarez scored the decisive goal for Mexico, thanks to a header deflected off Johan Vasquez's initial attempt. Despite desperate efforts from the U.S. in the closing minutes, they were unable to score again, resulting in a 2-1 victory for Mexico. This final marked the eighth meeting between the two nations in a Gold Cup final, with Mexico emerging victorious to secure their record 10th Gold Cup title. This victory was particularly significant as it was Mexico's first competitive win against the U.S. in their rivalry in six years. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed frustration over a controversial non-penalty decision made by the referee, stating it impacted their chances of winning significantly. The U.S. team fielded a roster without many top players, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, who had opted for rest or were unavailable for various reasons. Nevertheless, Pochettino emphasized the importance of the experience gained throughout the tournament, indicating that it would serve as a stepping stone ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Looking ahead, U.S. Soccer will be preparing for a rigorous schedule of friendlies leading up to the World Cup, using these matches to evaluate players and build a competitive team. Despite the loss, there was a sense of camaraderie developed among the players over the course of the tournament, with team captain Tyler Adams expressing pride in the growth they achieved together. The U.S. will now focus on strengthening their squad as they aim to rebound from this setback in international competition, ensuring they are better positioned to succeed at the World Cup event.