It is a long year for the USMNT ahead of the USMNT before the 2026 world cup. Mexico defeated the United States team 2-1 to win the Concacaf Gold Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 6. Mexico is winning back-to-back Gold Cup titles but both countries have won World Cup titles since 2011. In this article, you will learn more about the highlights of this incredible final between Mexico and the U.S.
Mexico and USA’s World Cup Wins
Both these countries have been winning Gold cup titles in this bi-annual tournament since 2011. The United States won in the years 2013, 2017, and 2021, while Mexico won in the years 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 and 2025. Mexico won the tournament final over the USMNT for the first time since the 2019 Gold Cup. This ended a three-game losing streak to the United States in tournament finals.
37-year-old USMNT defender Tim Ream said this after the match, “Overall, we’re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win.” Defender Chris Richards scored with a header in the fourth minute to take an early 1-0 in a thrilling start. But Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez scored a goal in the 27th minute to even the score.
A Controversial No-Call
A controversial no-call occured when Mexico’s Jorge Sánchez fell hand-first onto the ball inside the 18-yard box in the 67th minute. Sánchez braced himself for the fall when the ball rolled under his hand. The referee also waived off a potential penalty after the sequence. This is not the best result for the USMNT where they played without Star captain Christian Pulisic including many top players who opted to rest for the FIFA World Cup next year.
They Will Grow from It
The former USMNT standout and FOX analyst Landon Donovan said during the postgame coverage,“They needed this experience to grow.” He also said, “It was their A team against our version of a B team. They will grow from it.” This is the second loss to Mexico for the USMNT under Pochettino (an Argentine) who coached popular soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur.
The coach has a draw, nine wins, and six losses in 16 matches since beginning coaching for the U.S. team. Despite this result, the USMNT will continue preparing for the World Cup which is co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico next summer.
Former USMNT standout Alexi Lalas said this Gold Cup run was about “establishing a new identity” for the U.S. this summer. “They got beaten tonight by a better team. That’s OK,” Lalas said. “More importantly, they established the identity that players on the outside looking in – whether Christian Pulisic or anybody – have to adapt to. There’s a long game going on here. Next summer when the World Cup is here, we’ll say … this is where the seeds were planted.”
Edson Alvarez is named the Gold Cup’s Best Player.
The Golden Ball for best player goes to Edson Alvarez from Mexico. The captain of the team scored the goal that won the game on Sunday. Luis Malagon from Mexico wins the Golden Glove Award for best keeper because he only allowed in three goals during the whole tournament.
The USMNT won the Fair Play Award because they were the most well-behaved team in the tournament. Ismael Diaz from Panama will get the Golden Boot Award for scoring the most goals in the tournament (six).
Gold Cup totals: What countries have won it?
Mexico is the only country to have won double digits, with 10 Gold Cup victories, the most ever. The USMNT is in second place with seven Gold Cup victories. They last won in 2021. Canada is the only other team to have won this tournament, which they did in 2000.
Top Highlights of the Finals
Some of the top highlights of this Concacaf Gold Cup final between U.S. and Mexico are as follows:
- Chris Richard’s Header Gave An Early Lead
The USMNT took the early lead when Chris Richards powered a header from Sebastian Berhalter off of a set piece. Richards and Berhalter scored off of a free kick for the second time.
- Goal! Mexico Ties the Game; Jimenez Recognizes Jota
Mexico is back in the game thanks to Raul Jimenez’s goal. El Tri scores when Marcel Ruiz passes the ball through the U.S. backline and then shoots it to the top of the net.
Jimenez pays tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal player who died last week in a car accident in Spain. They were teammates with the Premier League team Wolves.
- Luna Is Really Close!
There was a crazy play where Edson Alvaraz deflected Diego Luna’s shot on goal at the last second. Right before the half, the USMNT almost scored their second goal!
- Halftime: Mexico 1, USA 1
Chris Richards’ header from a set piece gave the USA an early lead, but Raul Jimenez tied it with a strong golazo. Both teams went into the locker room 1-1 at the interval. Diego Luna, the U.S. star of the tournament, didn’t do much except for a shot that was blocked after a crazy play in front of Mexico’s goal just before halftime. Both teams have been active on offense, and there’s still a lot to play for.
- Still Tied with 30 Minutes Left
Roberto Alvarado almost scored again for Mexico, but the USMNT avoided disaster when Chris Richards almost scored an own goal while trying to clear the ball.
- Goal! Edson’s Header Puts Mexico Ahead
And Mexico is in the lead! Matt Freese can’t stop Edson Alvarez’s header from a set piece. The El Tri fans in Houston are going crazy since it’s 2-1! At first, the official says it’s offside, but then they go to VAR, which changes their mind. That was a good try, and Mexico is now ahead with just over ten minutes left.
- Seven Minutes of Extra Time
There is still a lot of time left, but the US needs to go all out to send this to extra time.Patrick Agyemang almost got a foot on a nice ball into the box, but he missed it. Luis Malagon, the Mexican custodian, gets enough of the ball to stop the threat.
- Mexico wins the Gold Cup by beating the USA 2-1.
That’s all! Mexico won the Gold Cup for the tenth time by beating the US 2-1. Edson Alvarez’s goal, which was first called offside, is the one that wins the game in Houston. The USA took the lead in the first five minutes of the game with Chris Richards’ header, but Mexico came back with Raul Jimenez’s goal before the half.
Final Thoughts
Mexico beat the USMNT 2-1 in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final. This showed how experienced, tough, and talented their young players are, including Edson Alvarez. The U.S. team didn’t win, but the competition taught them a lot and helped them get ready for the 2026 World Cup. This final may be a turning point for the USMNT on its way to the world stage, as fresh players are stepping up and older players are taking a break.
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