Mexico 1-0 USA
CHICAGO, IL–A crowd of 62,463 that mostly favored Mexico saw El Tri defeat the USA, 1-0, on a goal by Jonathan Dos Santos in the 74th minute. It is Mexico’s 8th Gold Cup triumph while the USA lose a Gold Cup Final for the first time at Soldier Field after winning there in 2007 and 2013.
The USA had the better of chances in the first few minutes. Christian Pulisic had a shot denied by Guillermo Ochoa and then Jozy Altidore missed wide while 1-on-1 with Ochoa a few minutes later. The chances continued early into the second half with a chance by Jordan Morris cleared off the line by Andres Guardado on 51 minutes.
Mexico made a key adjustment in the second half by shifting Rodolfo Pizzaro in the midfield and he and Jonathan Dos Santos would create problems for the USA most of the second half. That adjustment ultimately paid off in the 74th minute as Raul Jimenez set up Dos Santos for the game’s only score from 15 yards out.
The USA had one last chance in the 87th minute, but Hector Moreno would block Cristian Roldan’s shot from close range.
While the USA did make some gains in this Gold Cup with their play, it’s not there yet to the level of Mexico.
“We’re close, but we weren’t there tonight,” said US National Team coach Gregg Berhalter. “We need to score a goal in the first half. We need to put more pressure on them to keep creating those chances. I think as you saw as the match went on they gained control of it and got the winning goal.
“We knew it was going to be a big event,” Berhalter said. “We knew it was going to be a semi-hostile crowd and I think what I’d say is the calmness is what we lacked. Mexico certainly had it. They played well, particularly in the second half. Overall, I’m proud of the guys. I’m proud of the development this month.”
The USA did show some positives in this Gold Cup with their attacking style, but it lacked a finishing touch in the final third in this final and Mexico, despite missing players like Hirving Lozano and Chicharito, triumphed yet again. Where does the USA men go from here? That’s a discussion that starts later this week.
