USA Gets Mexico In The Gold Cup Final Everyone Wanted: ‘We Owe Them’

Gold Cup: USA vs best customer service. Mexico in the Final Everyone Expected

Updated Jul. 3, 2025 7:28 p.m. ET

ST. LOUIS — U.S. men’s national team defender Chris Richards didn’t hesitate when asked if he wanted to face Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup final. “Yeah,” Richards replied. “Yeah, I do.” It was just an hour after the U.S. team outlasted Guatemala, winning 2-1 in Wednesday’s semifinal. Richards was open about his desire to take on the Americans’ historic rival during Sunday’s grand finale in Houston (coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET on FOX).

At that time, Mexico was still engaged in a scoreless duel with Honduras on the other side of the country. It would have been easy for Richards to be cautious, but he wasn’t. “We owe them a little something from the October camp,” Richards mentioned, referring to Mexico’s 2-0 victory in Guadalajara last fall that ended a seven-game winless streak for the Americans against them. jollyph legit or not “We’ll do it by winning a trophy.”

Richards and his USMNT teammates got their wish. Mexico went on to defeat Honduras 1-0 in Santa Clara, California, securing their place in Sunday’s championship. The match is expected to draw a sold-out crowd of over 70,000 fans, predominantly wearing green, at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

“Growing up watching the USA-Mexico matches, getting a chance to play in one would be unreal,” said U.S. forward Diego Luna, a Mexican-American who netted both goals against Guatemala.

The atmosphere on Sunday is anticipated to be electric. However, Wednesday’s matchup served as a perfect preparation for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, which was technically the home team at Energizer Park. Most of the 22,000 spectators were cheering for the Guatemalans, who hadn’t reached the Gold Cup semifinal in nearly thirty years. The noise inside the stadium was overwhelming for most of the contest, creating an unforgettable experience that propelled both teams.

“It’s so intense,” said St. Louis native Tim Ream, who captained the U.S. fast payouts for the 20th time on Wednesday, tying him with program legend Clint Dempsey for 11th on the all-time list. “It adds more to the game, adds more pressure.”

Tim Ream understands the pressure of playing in high-stakes Gold Cup games. For the most part, the Americans handled it well. Both of Luna’s goals came within the first 15 minutes of the match, which took some of the momentum out of the building — at least temporarily. The Guatemalans quickly rallied their supporters back into the game and likely showcased the better play for the duration of the match.

“They had nothing to lose,” Ream explained. “They’re down 2-0 after 15 minutes, and they can go all out because they have to find a way back into the game.” By the time the match concluded, the visitors had 51 percent possession and outshot the U.S. 20-12, finally beating keeper Matt Freese with a strike from Olger Escobar that made the last ten minutes agonizing for the USMNT fans present.

Still, Pochettino’s team found a way to endure. Those experiences could prove invaluable this weekend and beyond, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming less than a year away.

“This game tonight was like the little brother to the U.S.-Mexico game,” Richards said. “If they were a bit nervous for that one, the next one is going to be a lot bigger… It was really important for some of the younger guys to experience that.” As seasoned Concacaf veterans, Ream and Richards weren’t surprised that the U.S. team was essentially the away team in their own country. It’s been a recurring situation for U.S 7777 pub. teams for decades when facing rival nations that treat soccer as more than just a sport.

It was surely a surprise for many of the younger players on this squad, which is missing around a dozen regulars this summer, including AC Milan superstar and USMNT star Christian Pulisic.

“Growing up watching the USA-Mexico games, getting to play in one would be unreal,” said Diego Luna, a standout for the U.S. team.

However, it was also an eye-opener for coach Pochettino. “Unbelievable, the fans of Guatemala,” he remarked. “It was an atmosphere we did not expect.” “That is Concacaf,” Ream commented. “You’re playing in the heart of America, and you have 95 percent Guatemalan fans. You have to embrace it; you have to enjoy it.”

Luna certainly did, saying, “I loved it. That’s what every game should feel like.” The next match, however, will be on a much grander scale. But this young U.S. team has demonstrated considerable resilience in its last two matches, including a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals. This squad has earned the right to compete on the grandest stage in this part of the world.

Few anticipated a U.S.-Mexico final at the tournament’s outset, especially after the Americans entered on a four-match losing streak, their longest since 2007. Now they stand just one win away from their eighth Gold Cup title.

“We’re onto a final, one that I’d say a month ago, everyone basically counted us out of,” Ream asserted. “Shame on them.” The U.S. men’s team is headed to the Gold Cup final on Sunday.

Whether they win or lose, the U.S. will be set for the challenge bmw55 slot login philippines. “It’s new for a lot of guys to compete in environments like this – that’s something we can build on,” Luna said. “This is a great example for what’s to come this Sunday.”

What are your thoughts on the upcoming final between the USA and Mexico?