2025 Gold Cup Final Recap: Mexico Claims 10th Title Over USMNT
A second half set piece goal was enough for Mexico to complete the come from behind effort as they retain their regional title.
A familiar Gold Cup final ended with an even more familiar winner, with Mexico winning the continental crown for the 10th time.
In their eighth title meeting, El Tri moves to 6-2 all time against the USA in Gold Cup Finals and extends their run of regional dominance by claiming the last two Gold Cups and the most recent Nations League.
MEXICO 2, UNITED STATES 1
It was the U.S. who got off to a fast start via a dominant set piece partnership from Sebastian Berhalter and Chris Richards. A free kick much closer to midfield than the penalty area wasn’t enough to stop this impressive combination as Berhalter delivered another sublime set piece as he’s done all tournament and Richards smashed the ensuing header off the underside of the bar and just over the goal line. The ball bounced back into play but the assistant referee did raise his flag to signal the goal.
After that though, it was pretty much all Mexico for most of the half as they began to dictate the bulk of the play against the U.S. defense. Eventually they would get their breakthrough near the half hour mark when Marcel Ruiz played in Raul Jimenez who blasted home the equalizer into the top corner at the near post. Jimenez then celebrated by playing video games with an El Tri jersey with “DIOGO J” and #20 on the back, a nice tribute in honor of his former Wolverhampton teammate.
The U.S. got a nice flurry late in the half, highlighted by a couple of stoppage time chances including Alex Freeman forcing a save out of Luis Malagon with a headed effort. Their next best chance was a Max Arfsten solo effort that saw him beat two defenders at the top of the box and blaze a shot just over the bar in the 54th.
But Mexico’s dominance was building, and to the surprise hopefully no one, they would claim the lead on a set piece. El Tri had been incredibly dangerous on set pieces all tournament and Edson Alvarez headed home the eventual winner in the 77th on the doorstep of the six yard box after a flick on by Johan Vasquez from the initial left wing free kick.
The match was not without controversy however, as prior to Mexico’s goal Jorge Sanchez put his hand on top of the ball after making a tackle in the box against Max Arfsten. Sanchez was already on the ground and the hand was there more for balance and is not judged as an infraction because the U.S. did not lose an advantage with dispossession already complete.
Third Yellow aside, at best this should be an indirect free kick for the USA and not a penalty. Whether or not Sanchez gets an advantage or not from the handling is debatable cause he knew nothing about the ball and practically tripped over it getting up. However covering the ball like that should always be an obstruction call, hence the IFK, and I’ve long lamented the elimination of the IFK for handballs as it opens up too much of a gray area.
Regardless, Mexico were dominant in this match but like they have for most of the tournament never ran away with a game. But the final was one of El Tri’s most complete performances at the Gold Cup and the statistics back that up. 60% possession, 8-of-16 shooting compared to the USA’s 3-of-6, and a ridiculous 12-0 advantage on corners
WHAT IT MEANS FOR MEXICO
More of the same really, a well organized and mostly first team unit came into the tournament as favorites and showed why they’re the best team in the region again. While El Tri looked tremendous in the run of play against the U.S., there were some struggles throughout the tournament that they’ll need to iron out in the next year before the World Cup. But this team generates so many set piece chances with good movement and plays that lead to corners, if their prowess on restarts continues to be dominant, they will be a threat to win a knockout game or two next year.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR USA
It’s a mixed bag for the USA who end the tournament on a bitter note but can take some solid individual performances home with them. Chris Richards cemented his status as starting corner, Malik Tillman has put his name in the ring for starting CAM, and I think Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang will get additional call ups over the next year but with a loaded attacking depth chart in front of them their MLS form and production has to remain high.
Mauricio Pochettino still has more questions than answers when it comes to the USA attack which was particularly stagnant against Mexico. So much of the USA’s success is predicated on starting fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest getting forward and unbalancing defenses that it’s hard to replicate that style without them. The lack of creativity on the field and especially on the bench was detrimental in the final and a similar performance a year from now regardless of the players will surely result in an early exit next summer.
The column is excellent, and the last paragraph nails it.
The lack of creative offensive talent is the gaping hole in the middle of the United States Men's National Team, the New England Revolution, and Rhode Island Football Club, making them uncompetitive.