No controversy, just goals.
On Sunday night in front of 68,000 supporters at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the Mexican Men’s National Team proved that they belonged in the 2015 Gold Cup Final. After two consecutive questionable matches, the side known as El Tri showed that although there may be some strong contenders they are still the measuring stick for the region by putting three past Jamaica to earn their seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
Mexico struck early thanks to goals by Andres Guardado (31′,) Jesus Corona (47′,) and Oribe Peralta (61′). Jamaica would narrow the lead late thanks to a goal by substitute Darren Mattocks (83′). But it was not enough to overcome Mexico’s lead who will now take on the United States on October 9th to determine who will represent CONCACAF at the 2015 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Despite the difference in their history in this tournament (Mexico is a perennial winner of the Gold Cup, while Jamaica had never made it to the finals) the match started out relatively even. Although Mexico certainly held the lion’s share of passing and attacking opportunities the Reggae Boyz defense held firm and kept El Tri at bay. Corona had a promising opportunity in the 25th minute when he leaped for a header that was ultimately saved by Jamaican goalkeeper Ryan Thompson. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds netminder seemed to have his confidence back after a very nervy match against the United States, all the more astonishing considering he was under consistent pressure from Mexico.
Mexican head coach Miguel Herrera’s strategy of gradually building seams in the Jamaican defense finally paid off in the 31st minute when Guardado would volley home his shot in the 31st minute to give them a 1-0 advantage. The goal was his fifth of the tournament.
Jamaica were successful in keeping the result at 1-0 until the end of the first half. The Jamaican back four of Kemar Lawrence, Michael Hector, Wes Morgan, and Adrian Marriappa kept Mexico at bay by having make several last-minute daring clears and some strong physical challenges. But in the second Mexico would continue to swarm the Jamaican penalty area looking for a mistake. It would come in the 47th minute when Corona would prey on a poor pass by Hector and slot his shot past Thompson. The goal was his first of the tournament.
Once again Hector and Jamaica would prove to be their one worst enemies in the 61st minute when his bad clearance would fall at the feet of Peralta. Peralta, just six yard from goal, would only need to tap it in to put Mexico ahead 3-0. His goal was his fourth of the tournament.
For Jamaica while the loss is certainly not the desired result the work put in both during the Gold Cup and the Copa America should pay off in the end. This is a side that entered this Gold Cup under low expectations and comes out of it with a philosophy, a belief, and players that have now had the chance to work with one another in a difficult circumstance. All of these experiences should pay off during Olympic qualification, which will start for their under-23 players in October, and World Cup qualification.
There is a certain level of vindication for Mexico with this result. Although their detractors will still point to the previous two rounds that they did not belong in the final, the win does prove that this team earned the victory in this match. What will be interesting to see is if this team takes the attitude and resolve that they had in this Gold Cup final, that it was them against the world, and apply it to World Cup Qualification and eventually the World Cup.
Mexico
