USMNT team news

New York Times

8 hours ago

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez saw Mexico prevent Mauricio Pochettino from winning his first title with the U.S. Imagn Images
Mexico have beaten the USMNT 2-1 in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Chris Richards headed the U.S. into an early lead in the fourth minute, but Raul Jimenez equalised for Mexico less than half an hour later, smashing the ball home from close range.
The score remained level until the 77th minute, when Edson Alvarez scored the go-ahead goal with a header. The goal was originally ruled offside but the call was overturned by VAR.
Mexico have won two straight Gold Cup titles and are now 6-2 when facing the USMNT in the final of the competition. Getty Images
Starting lineup: Freese, Arfsten, Ream, Richards, Freeman, De la Torre, Adams, Luna, Tillman, Berhalter, Agyemang
Subs: Downs, B. Aaronson, McKenzie, White, Turner, Sullivan, Brady, Tolkin, Zimmerman, Harriel, Robinson, McGlynn Imagn Images
Team news will be on its way very shortly… Getty Images 1993: Mexico 4-0 United States (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
4-0 United States (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City) 1998: Mexico 1-0 United States (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles)
1-0 United States (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles) 2007: United States 2-1 Mexico (Soldier Field, Chicago)
2-1 Mexico (Soldier Field, Chicago) 2009: Mexico 5-0 United States (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford)
5-0 United States (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford) 2011: Mexico 4-2 United States (Rose Bowl, Pasadena)
4-2 United States (Rose Bowl, Pasadena) 2019: Mexico 1-0 United States (Soldier Field, Chicago)
1-0 United States (Soldier Field, Chicago) 2021: United States 1-0 Mexico [aet] (Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada) Getty Images
While Javier Aguirre's Mexico and Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT both endured nervous moments during the competition, there is little doubt that, overall, they have been the two strongest teams, and that today's final in Houston will certainly be played between the two-highest profile programs in the Concacaf region.
The USMNT and Mexico did not meet in the Concacaf Nations League earlier this year thanks to the U.S.'s demoralizing semifinal defeat to Panama, which was followed by another loss to Canada in the third-place game. Mexico won the tournament with a fair degree of comfort. During that tournament, Raul Jiménez was the undisputed star, scoring twice against Canada in the semifinals and again vs. Panama in the final. The Athletic
We want to hear from you, too. Get involved today by emailing [e-mail]. Getty Images
Kevin C: 'But...how do we get this gritty play to be reflected in the group of players who have shown no grit at all and are no-shows at this tournament? Is it a switch that can just be turned on? I doubt it but I'm listening. Is it enough to bring Luna into future camps/friendlies and have him outwork and embarrass everyone who isn't giving that kind of effort? Maybe? Can one guy do that? I think we need to pray that it can because unless everyone on the previous A team is afraid for their job...I don't see it. And I hope I'm proven wrong.'
Craig B: 'So far the Gold Cup has been a bit of sound and fury, signifying not much. A couple of players have helped their chances of making the World Cup roster, but anyone who thinks that putting in a good shift against the likes of Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala means a lot is delusional. Now we have a game that actually means something against a team of decent quality and real motivation. If this group can win or even lose in a good battle, then those who stand out have really done something. If they don't, then this tournament will have been a fun diversion with little to take away from it.' Getty Images
S: '5 wins in a row is 5 wins. Add to that some stellar play by Tilman, Luna, and Richards — along with the return to form of Adams — and everyone should be optimistic and excited for the final. I'll add that Freeman has shown a lot of quality along with his inexperience. For sure the added depth that has been 'discovered' at the Gold Cup bodes well for the USA going forward.
'I'm a little surprised at the continuing negativity in reports from places like ESPN. The question going forward for Pochettino is now how will he integrate and utilize all the talent going forward. Things are certainly looking up.'
Brian G: 'There is still a lot to work to do with this group. Noticeably the starting midfield just doesn't seem to be on the same page very often. And then the huge drop off when we need the subs to help out.
'Thankfully, though, this isn't the starting group for next summer. And more, it shows that we have a good support for that group. It also puts pressure on positions that a few of our 'stars' might take for granted. So, overall, I'm happy with how this whole Gold Cup has worked out. A win will be the cherry on top.' Getty Images
After an early exit from the Copa América and two losses in the Nations League in March, a win over Mexico in a final would go a long way toward convincing more fans ahead of the World Cup.
'None of it's going to happen unless we continue to win,' Tim Ream said earlier this week. 'And, for us, what's the hallmark of a U.S. team? Fighting.
'Togetherness. And that's what we're finding and doing in this tournament. It's not always going to be perfect. It's not always going to be pretty. But doing that kind of fosters that connection with the fans, with the diehards, with the casuals, with everybody. And as long as we continue to do that, then that culture grows, the feelings grow and the connections grow.'
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Tim Ream: 'Shame' on USMNT critics as Luna goals set up Mexico final
The Gold Cup was meant to be the month when Mauricio Pochettino and his staff finally got some time with the group that they would lead into next year's home World Cup. But the FIFA Club World Cup, injuries and Christian Pulisic's decision to request the summer off meant the U.S. went into the tournament without many of its regulars. That shifted expectations, at least on the outside.
Internally, the group still believed the goal was singular: to win a trophy.
Tonight in Houston, a group of players who have used this summer to try to force their way into the World Cup picture will get that chance against rivals Mexico. After two ugly friendly losses to start the summer, the U.S. can end it with a continental title. To do so, they'll have to beat the best team they will have seen being beaten by Turkey and Switzerland.
GO FURTHER
Lifting Gold Cup against Mexico can give Pochettino's USMNT the belief he craves Getty Images
Mexico leads all nations with nine Gold Cup titles. The U.S. is next with seven. Together, they've won 16 of the tournament's 17 editions, with only Canada breaking through in 2000.
The stakes go beyond hardware, though. The neighboring rivals are looking ahead to the World Cup in 2026, when both countries, along with Canada, will serve as the host. This tournament has doubled as a measuring stick, and on Sunday, it becomes a litmus test.
Mexico enters as a slight favorite on BetMGM with -135 odds to lift the trophy with the Americans at even money. Getty Images
Group stage USMNT 5-0 Trinidad & Tobago
Saudi Arabia 0-1 USMNT
USMNT 2-1 Haiti
Quarter-finals USMNT 2-2 Costa Rica (USMNT win 4-3 on penalties)
Semi-finals Getty Images
Group stage Mexico 3-2 Dominican Republic
Suriname 0-2 Mexico
Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals Getty Images
This will be the eighth showdown in the tournament final between the two sides. Mexico holds a 5-2 edge, but the U.S. won the most recent meeting in 2021 on an extra-time header from Miles Robinson — the match's lone goal — that secured the team's seventh trophy.
Each team arrives with momentum. El Tri advanced with a 1-0 win over Honduras in the semifinals, a match defined by Raúl Jiménez's poise in the box and a back line that bent but didn't break.
Meanwhile, the U.S. earned its spot behind a breakout performance from 21-year-old Diego Luna, who scored twice in the first 15 minutes of play and helped secure a 2-1 win over Guatemala. With three goals in two games, Luna continues to be the story of the American summer. The Athletic
We'd love to hear from you ahead of today's final.
Who's going to win? Have the USMNT exceeded your expectations at this summer's tournament? And does their performance suggest they could upset a European side or two at next year's World Cup?
Let us know by emailing [e-mail]. Getty Images
The game will air live on Fox and TUDN. Getty Images
Today's Gold Cup final will commence at 7pm EDT (4pm PDT).
That's midnight for the sickos in the United Kingdom staying up to watch. Getty Images
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today's 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final between the United States and defending champions Mexico.
This is the eighth Gold Cup final to feature Mexico and the United States. Mexico came out on top in 1993, 1998, 2009, 2011 and 2019, but the USMNT prevailed the last time the sides met on this stage, in 2021.
The game is due to start at 8pm EDT. Stick with us until then as we preview the big game and don't forget that you can get involved by emailing [e-mail].