The Concacaf Gold Cup final has arrived, setting up the anticipated clash between regional rivals, the United States Men`s National Team and Mexico. Both squads have navigated a fluctuating tournament to reach this deciding match, albeit with notably different compositions. Mexico, featuring seasoned players like Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez, has powered through the competition and faces their rivals with the opportunity to claim their third consecutive Concacaf championship.
For the USMNT, this tournament has been characterized by the absence of several prominent players from their standard roster. This situation has allowed manager Mauricio Pochettino to witness the progress of promising talents such as Diego Luna, Matt Freese, and Malik Tillman. Strong performances here could significantly influence player movement and roster decisions leading up to the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host. The USMNT will need to elevate their performance further to overcome Mexico at this stage. Successfully doing so could potentially secure spots on Pochettino`s future roster for some players.
Here`s a look at the key aspects of the match:
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, July 6
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas
- TV: FOX
- Live stream: Fubo
- Odds: USMNT +190; Draw +210; Mexico +145
Recent Meeting
This final marks Mauricio Pochettino`s second encounter managing the USMNT against Mexico, and improvement will be necessary. Their first meeting in October 2024 saw the USMNT outplayed, resulting in a 2-0 defeat in Mexico`s farewell match for midfielder Andres Guardado. While that game was hosted in Mexico and featured a first-choice El Tri side, with Christian Pulisic not starting for the USMNT, Pochettino still faces the challenge of fielding a non-regular roster even on home soil this time. A combination of injuries, the Club World Cup, and player rest means numerous players expected to be in the World Cup squad are unavailable. While this presents challenges for Pochettino, it also creates significant opportunities for the players participating.
Historical Rivalry
Dating back to their initial match in 1934, these two nations have faced each other a total of 78 times. Mexico holds the historical advantage with 37 wins compared to the USMNT`s 24, with 17 matches ending in a draw. This upcoming final will be their 11th meeting in a cup final, a fixture that has seen periods of dominance shift between the two countries. Mexico has won six of these finals, while the USMNT has won four. This match offers the USMNT a chance to prevent Mexico from achieving a third consecutive Concacaf championship and aims to rekindle the success they experienced between 2021 and 2024, when the USMNT won three straight cup finals against El Tri.
Projected Lineups
USMNT: Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Diego Luna, Malik Tillman, Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyemang
Mexico: Luis Malagon, Mateo Chavez, Johan Vazquez, Cesar Montes, Julian Arujo, Marcel Ruiz, Edson Alvarez, Gilberto Mora, Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado
Key Player to Watch
Diego Luna, USMNT: Diego Luna`s “aura farming” celebration after scoring the USMNT`s second goal against Guatemala perfectly encapsulates his impact this camp. With three goals and two assists across five matches in the tournament, Luna is clearly doing everything to earn Mauricio Pochettino`s confidence and secure a place in the World Cup squad. Giving his absolute best for the team, Luna is expected to play a crucial role if the USMNT is to upset Mexico.
Tactical Storyline
Assessing Pochettino`s Impact: Transitioning from club to international management involves a significant change in available training time. Camps are brief, requiring Mauricio Pochettino to implement tactics that players can quickly grasp. However, this Gold Cup represents Pochettino`s longest competitive camp to date, providing ample time not only for him to evaluate players but also for the players to adapt to his tactical approach.
Growth in midfield and attack has been evident throughout the camp, but the defense still needs to demonstrate its resilience when facing a formidable Mexico side. This is where Pochettino`s strategic guidance becomes vital to navigate this challenge. While the teams may not be perfectly matched player-for-player, a dedicated performance for the badge makes an upset a genuine possibility.
Prediction
Despite having considered representing either the USMNT or Mexico, Diego Luna will score for the USMNT against El Tri. However, it`s predicted not to be enough for a victory. This Mexico team is tactically sound and in good form. Even if they fall behind, they are expected to recover, secure the win, and claim their third consecutive Concacaf title. Prediction: USMNT 1, Mexico 2
