The U.S. are one win away from something they have done seven times, but not since 2021 – lift the Gold Cup
HOUSTON – Here we go again – death, taxes and the U.S. men's national team meeting Mexico in a Gold Cup final. Interestingly enough, though, this matchup hasn't been quite as common as you would think over the last decade or so, with Sunday's tournament decider in Houston just the third USMNT-Mexico affair in the last seven editions of this competition.
This game, of course, comes with built-in storylines. It remains the premier rivalry in this part of the world and, one year out from a World Cup spread across both of these countries, Sunday's game is also a vital measuring stick. Both will be out for bragging rights, yes, but both also have the bigger picture in mind, too.
For the U.S. it's been a summer of changing culture. Mauricio Pochettino went into this tournament with a weakened roster, one missing many of the team's top stars. Yet, here they are. It's been a bumpy road to the final, but now it's all down to one game, one chance to defy the odds and set the tone for the year to come.
"The message has been to be proud of what we've done, but the job's not finished," said goalkeeper Matt Freese. "We did not come here to be a second-place team. We came here and we've been preparing all tournament to be a first-place team at the end of it."
After winning the CONCACAF Nations League final in March, El Tri will feel they're on top of CONCACAF – and they might just be. While the USMNT and Canada have faltered in recent months, Mexico are on an upward trajectory heading towards the World Cup, and they can double-down on that with a win in front of what should be a pro-Mexico crowd in Houston.
This is the eighth Gold Cup final featuring the U.S. and Mexico. El Tri have won five of the previous seven but the USMNT have the most recent victory in 2021. Overall, Mexico have claimed nine titles in 11 Gold Cup finals, with the U.S. second at seven wins in 12 final appearances. Underscoring the two nations' dominance in this competition, Canada in 2000 is the only other team to lift the Gold Cup.
It's all to play for on Sunday, with kickoff at 7 p.m. ET. And by just making it here, both teams will have reason to believe that they can cap a grueling summer by staking their claim as the region's best.
"It's one game to lift a trophy," defender Tim Ream said. "It doesn't matter if you're an underdog or a favorite, you still have to go out there and play at least 90 minutes to finish a game. That's all the motivation we need: that trophy. That's all you need as players.
"Some will tell you it's a little extra because it's Mexico and there's history. But at the end of the day, you have to play everybody on your schedule to get to a final and then you get one match. That's all we need."
GOAL looks at five keys for the USMNT against Mexico.
AFPManaging the intensity – and the crowd
In the end, the U.S. were somewhat thankful to have experienced the pro-Guatemala crowd in St. Louis. It gave them a taste but what's to come in Houston.
More than 22,000 fans were at Energizer Park in St. Louis for the USMNT's 2-1 semifinal win over Guatemala. There will be more than triple that at NRG Stadium on Sunday. Most will be wearing the colors of El Tri. For the younger members of this USMNT squad, it will be unlike anything they've ever experienced.
"I think it was perfect for those guys to get their feet wet with Guatemala and the energy that was in that stadium," defender Walker Zimmerman said. "Yeah, you're at home, but it felt a little bit hostile at times with the crowd. That will be a very minor degree compared to what we're going to see on Sunday… It was a perfect little preparation for just the energy and the environment and the pressure that you'll feel as the stadiums get louder and louder and a little bit more hostile."
For the USMNT, this Gold Cup final will be as much about managing emotions as it will be about managing Mexico. Of the USMNT's XI starters against Guatemala, six players have never been in a game of this magnitude. And the coaching staff is stressing the need to keep calm and collected in a raucous atmosphere.
"It's one of the derbies, U.S.-Mexico, that is one of the most important in the world," said defender Alex Freeman, who earned his first cap less than a month ago. "I feel like they're just getting us prepared, knowing it might not be the prettiest game, but to be able to have the attitude that you need to win. I feel like that's what they're emphasizing so much, being able to have the attitude needed to win the game, get the trophy, and bring that trophy home."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDiego Luna on center stage
Diego Luna plays every game like it's the most important of his life. It's why he's endeared himself to so many USMNT fans. His passion and effort are undeniable, and he's fast becoming undeniable, too.
This game, in particular, will be massive for Luna. It's a chance for him to further his story on the biggest stage of his career so far. It's also a chance for him to play a team close to his heart, too.
“When I was little, we would always have people come over and watch the game," he said in 2022. "The rivalry is a big thing, and I would always have my USA jersey on. I would cry when Mexico scored on us and I would tear up, and I was going around telling people to stop cheering – because half my family would cheer for Mexico and half my family cheered for USA.
"Then as I grew older, I started to realize I am Mexican, I speak Spanish, my parents are from Mexico. I started to put it into perspective – I have respect and I love Mexico and I love being Mexican, but I grew up in the United States… I was born and raised in the United States, so it’s only right to play for the country that they raised me to who I am.”
Credit to Luna for forging his own path as one hell of a player. His two goals against Guatemala got the U.S. into the final, and his play throughout this tournament has been vital to everything the USMNT does. He'll be fired up for this final. And on Sunday night he'll have his family members cheering for him in the latest clash with El Tri.
"It's just part of being human, right? You're going to have emotions," Luna said on Saturday. "It's how you grow up, it's part of your family, it's in your blood. Being Mexican-American, it's in my blood. I think tomorrow there will be some emotions. Right now, especially tonight, there will be some emotions.
"But starting midday tomorrow, it's about locking in and understanding that I'm going to give 100 percent for the jersey I'm wearing. I'm excited to go out there and play in a game that I've dreamed of since I was a kid."
Getty Images SportThe coaching clash
Back in October, the USMNT traveled to Guadalajara for Pochettino's second match in charge. They were humbled, 2-0. The score, in some ways, was flattering. El Tri were far and away the better team, beating up on a U.S. side that was missing the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams.
Of that group, only Adams will play for the U.S. on Sunday, with Pochettino's side missing a virtual starting lineup of players – including Pulisic, McKennie and Antonee Robinson. Adams' presence will be huge, of course, but it doesn't change the fact that the USMNT are shorthanded against Mexico – again.
Pochettino couldn't find an answer to combat that problem back in October. Can he find one now?
It will be tricky. El Tri are the favorites – oddsmakers have Mexico -135 to win the Cup, while USA are +105 – and under three-time Mexico boss Javier Aguirre, they're humming again. Aguirre was brought in last summer to help Mexico reckon with their Copa America failure – just as Pochettino was for the USMNT. They've been fantastic since, losing just twice, winning the Nations League and allowing just two goals throughout their five-game Gold Cup run.
“Securing the title would give us momentum and show that the work we’ve done hasn’t been meaningless,” Aguirre said. “We’ve been sharp in training, the group is committed, and there’s a strong sense of unity – almost like a family. Everyone takes pride in wearing the national team jersey.”
Both managers are fantastic, and both have plenty of experience coaching in big games. They also know each other well from their shared histories in Spain. Which will unlock his team? Can one outsmart the other with a little wrinkle or decision that makes the moment needed to win a trophy? The players on the field determine the game, in the end, but the two coaches will also have a part to play in this one.
"Mexico is a very competitive team and his character translates to the team and on the pitch," Pochettino said of Aguirre. "It's going to be a pleasure to meet again. We've played games in the past, but this is a final and it's an amazing opportunity to see each other. Let's hope that we can beat Mexico, though, and leave with the trophy. Because that's what we want."
GettyContaining Jimenez
In the Guatemala game, the U.S. faced some difficult moments in containing the Los Chapines attack. MLS veteran Rubio Rubin gave them fits, at times. On Sunday, they'll face a much better striker.
Despite all he's achieved, Raul Jimenez often remains underrated in this region. Many have been eager to write off the 34-year-old striker, who currently sits third on Mexico's all-time scoring list. Despite his age, despite a serious head injury in 2020, and despite the rise of young star Santi Gimenez, the Fulham star is still the man that makes El Tri tick.
Since Aguirre's arrival, he's more than proven that fact. He's scored eight goals since October, netting braces in the CONCACAF semifinals and finals before scoring twice, so far, at this summer's Gold Cup. His most recent game-winner came in Mexico's 1-0 semifinal triumph over Honduras. In big moments, Jimenez continues to do the business.
Fortunately for the USMNT, their center-back duo will be plenty familiar with him. Tim Ream is his former teammate at Fulham. Chris Richards has plenty of Premier League experience himself with Crystal Palace. They won't be afraid of Jimenez, but in this kind of form, they should be. For the last year, he's been the most threatening player in CONCACAF.
"Raul Jimenez is a baller," Richards said. "I think everybody sees it, not just in the Premier League but with his national team. He's done it in both. But I've had some success playing against him this season and, every time I play him, it's something different. I think it's just trying to do things that limit what he can do well, so maybe not allowing him to compete for many headers or me just being physical with him. Those are probably two of the things that I need to plan on doing."