USMNT and Mexico renew rivalry in Gold Cup final as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to regain the upper hand

The stage is set for the Concacaf Gold Cup final, and it is a suitable, because the United States and Mexico will meet for the title in the eighth time in the history of the competition. This is the first final where the national team of the United States has taken place Mauricio Pochettino, and it is when things become real. Not only will the USMNT be the only thing that stands in the way of Mexico to lift three consecutive Concacaf titles, but they will also have the chance to avenge the loss of Pochettino against El Tri in October 2024.

In an improvised USMNT roster without regulars such as such as Christian PulisicAntonee Robinson, Weston McKennie” Disoting captain And Sergino DestPochettino has been able to put together a team that fought its way to the final, but Mexico will be their most difficult test so far. While Malik Tillman, Matt FreeseAnd Diego Luna has shown that they are on this selection with their versions that insist on rolls in the 2026 World Cup team, many players still have to make that next step.

There is no better chance than in a final against Mexico. This is a rivalry in which USMNT legends are created and this team has not seen anyone who would be considered a global power to get to this point. Trinidad and Tobago beat, Saudi -ArabiaHaiti and Guatemala, along with the drawing of Costa Rica, does not shout that the USMNT is back where they want to be. However, passing a full strength Mexico would be an important step in the right direction.

The USMNT has tried to show progress, but opportunities to show that there have been little among them in competitive competitions. After this team could not show that it should be at the same pitch as Switzerland And Turkiye, confronted with Mexico, is an opportunity for the team to show their growth under Pochettino during his longest camp that the management was in charge. Mexico has had a similar path as the USMNT to get to this point since Panama was also upset in Gold Cup game, but from a victory of the Nations League, El Tri has had the better 2025 of the two teams.

Pochettino does not need a victory for this team to impress Mexico, but it would help to get one. What is important is that they make this a close match with the defense that improves. The defensive errors with which Costa Rica and 20 shots were allowed, with which Guatemala was confronted, would lead to losses in this competition. But that is where the pressure on Pochettino and the team is.

If they improve to pass El Tri in this game, it is a time when more players could show to make the entire World Cup team, but with loss the same questions remain the usmnt bullying. Because stories appear big on this side, Sunday is a chance to break from them, but they must show growth to do it.

How to use usmnt vs. Mexico can view, opportunities

• Date: Sunday July 6 | Time7 pm
• Location: NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
• TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free))
• Chances: USMNT +190; Drawing +210; Mexico +145

Usmnt vs mexico history

These two teams met for the first time in 1934 and have now met a total of 78 times with Mexico who won 37 the USMNT -Winning 24, and the other 17 ending in draw. This will be the 11th meeting in a cup final with things that go in waves of dominance between the two nations. Mexico has won six of those finals, with the USMNT won four. This is an opportunity for the USMNT to prevent Mexico from winning a third consecutive Concacaf championship and to restore their success of 2021-2024, in which the USMNT won three consecutive cup final over El Tri.

Top scorers

The USMNT has the top scorer in the rivalry with Landon Donovan’s Six goals first. Donovan found the back of the net during the memorable 2-0 victory of the USMNT on the World Cup 2002 and would be a consistent thorn in El Tri during their matchups.

This is how the top five scorers shake:

• Landon Donovan (USMNT), Six goals
• Alfredo Hernandez (Mexico, five goals
• Michael Bradley (Usmnt), five goals
• Aldo Donelli (USMNT), Four goals
• Christian Pulisic (USMNT), Four goals