After weeks of learning lessons in wins, the U.S. finally learned their harshest one in a Gold Cup final loss to Mexico
HOUSTON – Finally, the wheels came off. After a summer riding a wave of inexperienced youngsters with chips aplenty on their shoulders, the U.S. men's national team finally stumbled. Ultimately, the final was one bridge too far.
It didn't start that way. After an early goal from Chris Richards, the USMNT looked like they had the will to contest their heated rivals. Mexico, though, never wavered, erasing that 1-0 deficit to score a goal in each half to seize the Gold Cup with a 2-1 win on Sunday night.
It will sting for the USMNT, no doubt, especially considering how well they started. Richards' fourth-minute goal sent a jolt of energy through NRG Stadium, even with its pro-Mexico crowd, while energizing a youthful U.S. group throughout the first half. In the 27th minute, though, Mexico wrestled momentum back, with Raul Jimenez smashing a shot past a helpless Matt Freese to equalize following some ugly U.S. defending from a throw-in.
The teams traded chances from there but, make no mistake: from that point on, it was Mexico's game to lose. They didn't. Instead, they simply attacked it, with Edson Alvarez just narrowly beating the offside trap in the 77th minute to win the game and, more importantly, the trophy.
El Tri celebrated in Houston on Sunday night, and rightfully so. It was their 10th Gold Cup trophy, more than any other nation – the U.S. is second with seven, in 13 finals. They were, throughout this tournament and on this night, the best team.
"We're disappointed obviously to not come away with a win," U.S. captain Tim Ream said.
Pochettino made it clear postgame: he didn't want to make excuses, but he was upset with the manner in which USMNT lost. The USMNT boss called out the officiating, taking issue with three of the game's defining calls. There was a potential handball on Jorge Sanchez, a questionable onside on Mexico's winning goal and possible foul on Richards leading up to that goal.
None of those calls went the USMNT's way. Suffice it to say Pochettino noticed.
"I am the first to say we need to improve," Pochettino said. "I am not crying. I am not saying anything against Mexico. I respect Mexico, full respect, and I have congratulated them from the beginning. I only say that, if that happened against Mexico, the coach, the people and the players would be talking the same way. For me, there would be a fire in the stadium."
The inexperienced USMNT spent the summer attempting to defy odds, fighting, scrapping and learning lessons all the way to the final. There was no glory at the end, though, and no trophy as they were finally dealt their toughest lesson yet: that the small moments matter and, ultimately, those moments cost the U.S. a trophy.
GOAL rates the USMNT's players from NRG Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Matt Freese (6/10):
Couldn't do a damn thing on Jimenez's goal considering the power the Mexico star hit it with. Same for Alvarez's goal. Had some decent stops otherwise on the ones that were saveable.
Max Arfsten (5/10):
Almost curled home a stunner early in the second half. Was targeted a bunch defensively, but did have a few good attacking moments to make his inclusion worth it.
Tim Ream (5/10):
Wasn't nearly good enough with his passing, particularly his long balls – taking some of the steam out of his 75th cap. Generally did well defensively, and there was little he could have done on the opening goal.
Chris Richards (8/10):
A fantastic finish in the fourth minute, as he netted his second of the tournament and the earliest goal in Gold Cup final history. Was the best U.S. player on the field by a wide margin.
Alex Freeman (4/10):
Caught in no man's land on Mexico's opener and couldn't quite recover. Then, narrowly held Alvarez onside on the winner. A rough game in his biggest test yet.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Tyler Adams (6/10):
Again, just wasn't quite as dominant we we've seen him be in a USMNT shirt – and this was his 50th cap. Wasn't bad but also didn't run the midfield, which often allowed Mexico to play through it.
Luca de la Torre (6/10):
Crisp on the ball as usual, but the U.S. never really had much midfield control. Was the first one off as Pochettino looked to switch things up midway through the second half.
Sebastian Berhalter (7/10):
Berhalter's set-piece delivery is a big reason he's in the team, and he proved it just a few minutes in with a picture-perfect free kick onto the head of Richards. From there, he was feisty as usual, unafraid to mix it up in his first USMNT-Mexico match.
Getty ImagesAttack
Malik Tillman (5/10):
Had a few hazy runs and a few moments of brilliance, but was largely marked out of the game. Mexico were physical with him all night long, which led to him losing more duels than anyone else on the pitch.
Diego Luna (5/10):
Dropped just a little too deep to really influence the attack. Rarely got the ball anywhere that would allow him to do what he does best.
Patrick Agyemang (4/10):
Totally on an island, and was totally controlled by Cesar Montes. When he did get loose, the U.S. looked dangerous. It just didn't happen very often.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Damion Downs (5/10):
Had one half-chance in the box but was largely ineffective.
Jack McGlynn (6/10):
Passed well as usual but couldn't open up the game after coming on late.
Brenden Aaronson (N/A):
Only got the ball a few times after coming on in the final moments.
John Tolkin (N/A):
Came in late to replace a rapidly fading Arfsten.
Mauricio Pochettino (4/10):
Once again, didn't make the most of his subs and, while that doesn't change the fact that both goals were individual mistakes, it did prevent the U.S. from taking control of the game. The U.S. were defending and, inevitably, they cracked. Unfortunately, their coach couldn't prevent it.
