U.S.-Mexico Gold Cup closing preview, predictions, extra

Sunday will mark the renowned figure chapter within the United States and Mexico rivalry because the pair meet in Houston’s NRG Stadium to find out the winner of the 2025 Gold Cup. Regardless of having lower than best preparations — they each misplaced emphatically to Switzerland, with the U.S. being defeated by Turkey and El Tri beating them 1-0 — the pair have navigated by way of by way of this Concacaf competitors.

The U.S. gained momentum because the event went on with a 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, a 1-0 success over Saudi Arabia and a 2-1 victory over Haiti. This arrange a quarterfinal date with Costa Rica, wherein Mauricio Pochettino’s aspect emerged after a sudden-death penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. That resulted in a semifinal towards Guatemala, with the U.S. prevailing 2-1.

In the meantime, Mexico shrugged off a nervy 3-2 win over Dominican Republic with a 2-0 win over Suriname and a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica forward of a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia within the quarterfinals. From there, a Raúl Jiménez aim was sufficient to ship Mexico into the ultimate at Honduras‘ expense, bringing us to Sunday’s epic encounter.

So, with the stage set for the ultimate, ESPN reporters on the Gold Cup chime in on the key speaking factors surrounding Sunday’s conflict.

The U.S. hasn’t been rotating a lot within the Gold Cup; how a lot will it have within the tank towards Mexico?

Pochettino has performed treasured little rotation through the Gold Cup. Seven gamers have began each match, with one other three within the XI for 4 of the 5. When there was per week break between the group stage and the knockout rounds, Pochettino’s lineup selections did not elevate too many considerations, however after a semifinal wherein the U.S. had simply 46% possession within the second half, it is value asking if the USMNT is out of fuel.

It definitely regarded prefer it. Striker Patrick Agyemang gave the impression to be operating on fumes after halftime, as did midfielder Luca de la Torre. Pochettino did convey off De la Torre for Brenden Aaronson, which helped, however the U.S. nonetheless struggled within the recreation’s latter levels. The staff wanted some recent legs earlier.

Then there may be the standing of midfielder Tyler Adams. Adams got here off within the 77th minute towards Guatemala as a result of what Pochettino described as a hamstring ailment. It is a participant with a historical past of accidents, so Adams’ availability — and power ranges — will bear watching.

There’s something to be stated for lineup continuity, because it’s clear chemistry has positively been developed throughout the beginning lineup this summer season. However the U.S. figures to do loads of chasing towards a Mexico aspect that may possible have extra of the ball, that means the staff’s depth ranges might want to stay excessive. — Jeff Carlisle

Can the USMNT’s breakout performers (Luna, Tillman, Freese) ship on the largest worldwide stage of their careers?

It is one factor to make an affect towards a aspect like Haiti or Saudi Arabia, however it’s one other to do the identical towards a historic rival equivalent to Mexico in a packed home like shall be encountered in Texas on Sunday. There is a noteworthy tenacity to attackers equivalent to Malik Tillman and Diego Luna, who’ve mixed for 10 aim contributions within the Gold Cup, and it would not be a lot of a shock if both of them rose to the event in the identical method we have seen to date on this event.

Luna particularly appears to focus on that spirit that is wanted in a event closing. Days after applauding the “grit” and “dedication” from his fellow teammates that is seen in his personal recreation, the Real Salt Lake star seems completely fitted to going toe-to-toe with Mexican marquee gamers who should be at their greatest when defending the winger.

In web, Matthew Freese can also be worthy of credit score for the numerous enhance he is been given by Pochettino, however after some shaky moments within the renowned figure semifinal, may he find yourself being a weak hyperlink towards El Tri‘s lengthy listing of attacking choices? Whatever the USMNT identify referred to as upon, Sunday’s match would be the most difficult check of the summer season. — Cesar Hernandez

How shut is Mexico’s Gold Cup staff to changing into the XI for the 2026 World Cup?

The 26 gamers Javier Aguirre dropped at the Gold Cup seem like the bottom of the squad that may characterize Mexico within the 2026 World Cup.

The Gold Cup is Aguirre’s closing massive check earlier than subsequent summer season, and the coach has been adamant that he has already outlined between 50% and 60% of the squad that may go to the following World Cup. The remaining doubts relate to which participant will play at proper again and the gamers chosen to interchange Luis Chávez, who’s injured for as much as eight months.

Within the Gold Cup, Aguirre has discovered Johan Vásquez and César Montes to be his best middle again pairing. In midfield, Edson Álvarez is the captain and automated starter. In assault, a very powerful participant is Raúl Jiménez, and he’ll have to be at his greatest Sunday and subsequent summer season if El Tri is to stay as much as its potential. — Omar Flores

Will 16-year-old Mora proceed to progress on Concacaf’s largest stage?

One 12 months in the past, the child from Chiapas wasn’t even an expert participant. And but, 10 months after changing into the youngest to ever rating in Liga MX, Membership Tijuana teenager Gilberto Mora has taken Mexican soccer by storm along with his unprecedented stage of confidence and polish for an attacking midfielder of his age.

There is a excessive ceiling for Mora, the 16-year-old who offered the game-winning help for Jiménez in Mexico’s semifinal win towards Honduras, and with veteran supervisor Javier Aguirre now giving him full belief after an ACL harm to Chávez, Mora is ready to as soon as once more lead the center of Mexico’s XI.

Whether or not you are a fan or an opposing defender, keep watch over his wonderful ball management and excellent imaginative and prescient. Mora has to date exceeded expectations at an unparalleled price in El Tri, and with one other possible spot within the XI after making his nationwide staff debut in January, Sunday may turn out to be one other steppingstone for the participant who’s leveling up at a daunting price.

Extensively seen as the way forward for Mexican soccer, this weekend may show that he is additionally the current forward of the World Cup. — Hernandez

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Gomez: USMNT ‘discovered find out how to undergo’ in win vs. Guatemala

Herculez Gomez breaks down among the classes he thinks the US discovered in a 2-1 win over Guatemala.

Is Aguirre’s popularity on the road towards the US?

Let’s be clear: Aguirre’s status or popularity isn’t in danger towards the US. The Mexico nationwide staff coach admitted that his staff is the favourite to win the Gold Cup, however he all the time made it clear that his important goal is to organize the staff for the 2026 World Cup.

Aguirre opted for the Gold Cup to finish his closing stress assessments on the squad, and he nonetheless managed to guide Mexico to the ultimate. The World Cup is his precedence, so Aguirre’s status isn’t in danger. — Flores

After getting a style of a hostile crowd vs. Guatemala, how will the U.S. deal with a powerful Mexico crowd within the closing?

After the semifinal win over Guatemala, U.S. defender Tim Ream revealed how some gamers have been shocked at how pro-Guatemala the gang was and requested how this might occur in the US. Ream’s response? “That is the best way it’s. You need to embrace it.”

Clearly, the U.S. staff benefited from being uncovered to this sort of ambiance within the semi. It isn’t sufficient to inform a participant how will probably be — they need to expertise it for themselves. That is necessary, as a result of the vibes on Sunday shall be turned as much as 11. The capability of NRG Stadium (72,220) is greater than 3 times that of Energizer Stadium (22,423) in St. Louis, web site of the semifinal. And Mexico followers could have no compunction about making issues as uncomfortable as potential for his or her longtime rival.

Efficiently taking the sting out of the vociferous help for El Tri would require the U.S. to do just a few issues. The USMNT might want to keep organized, as Mexico followers have been recognized to activate their staff when issues do not go in response to plan. However extra importantly, the U.S. must get sufficient possession to permit it to relaxation and make Mexico chase the sport a bit. That does not imply the U.S. might want to win the possession battle — it simply must win it sufficient to assist it handle the sport. — Carlisle

Rating predictions

Mexico 2-1 United States: The U.S. is definitely able to profitable this recreation, however Mexico has a bit extra high quality in assault, which is able to possible show to be the distinction. — Carlisle

Mexico 2-1 United States: As per typical with this heated rivalry, Sunday’s closing shall be a detailed one it doesn’t matter what, however man-for-man, Mexico’s Gold Cup roster is stronger than that of Pochettino’s. With extra depth on the bench that might outline this recreation, count on El Tri to narrowly earn the win. — Hernandez

Mexico 2-1 United States: Houston is the top of Aguirre’s testing floor, and he’ll discipline his closest 11 to the World Cup towards the area’s fiercest rival. It is the proper time to consolidate the undertaking, which ends in lower than a 12 months, and I count on him to achieve success on Sunday. — Flores