USA defeat Mexico to win Gold Cup for seventh time

Jason Soutar
USA Gold Cup
USA Gold Cup

The United States defeated Mexico 1-0 in extra-time to lift the Concacaf Gold Cup for the seventh time in their history.

USA’s victory is their second in a cup final against Mexico this summer, winning the Concacaf Nations League in June.

Before this summer, they had not defeated the Mexicans in a cup final in 14 years.


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Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson headed in the winner after 118 minutes to help the USMNT lift the trophy in dramatic fashion.

“I don’t know really what happened – some crazy emotions but I’m happy we got the W,” said Robinson.

“We were focusing a lot on set pieces. I knew if I could get open, I could finish one and Kellyn [Acosta] put a perfect ball in so I had to finish it.”

Mexico had the better of the affair, dominating possession and having 22 shots to the USA’s 14, but fell short in the end.

After surviving a first-half onslaught, the US grew into the match without Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic.

Manager Gregg Berhalter also excluded Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Borussia Dortmund’s new No.7, Gio Reyna from the squad.

Berhalter explained before the competition that Pulisic was being rested due to a demanding season with the Blues, in which he won the Champions League.

Furthermore, the 48-year-old explained that he saw the Gold Cup as an opportunity to try new players with his sights set on the USA’s World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022 and to see “where everyone stands.”

This made the US less than favourites to win the competition, with Mexico – the only team to have won the competition more times than USA – the side that everyone fancied.

That was not to be, and now Berhalter has plenty to think about when it comes to his squad selection in the future.

The likes of McKennie, Reyna and RB Leipzig star Tyler Adams were also given time off for the same reason as Pulisic.

Elsewhere, Pulisic featured for Chelsea on Sunday afternoon as they defeated Arsenal 2-1 in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked about the future of Kurt Zouma after the match:

“Kurt was part of the team for half a year, I know him exactly, what I can demand from him, what he can give to the team. He was part of a very successful half a season.”