The U.S. men’s national team lost 2-1 to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup final, resulting in back-to-back titles for its southern opponents. Edson Álvarez scored the game-winning goal.
The final match, held at a sold-out NRG Stadium with a majority Mexican crowd, began with the USMNT on the attack, scoring a fourth-minute set-piece goal by Chris Richards from a cross by Sebastian Berhalter.
Mexico responded by increasing their attacking pressure and eventually equalized with a thunderous shot from Raúl Jiménez in the 27th minute. Despite El Tri’s attacking momentum, the US nearly regained the lead with an Alex Freeman header, which was saved by Mexico goalkeeper Ángel Malagón shortly before halftime.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, keen to change the tide after the midway break, switched to a two-person forward line in the 69th minute, introducing Damion Downs. Nonetheless, Mexico snatched the game winner from Alvarez in the 78th minute, clinching their 10th Gold Cup title.
Following the setback for the USMNT, who used an alternate group this summer that was missing crucial players, here are three issues to consider:
Careless Possessions Cost U.S. First Title Under Pochettino
In the heart of the pitch against a pressing Mexico team, the US players were constantly lofting poor passes forward or falling behind advancing defenders.
If there was a weak link in Pochettino’s tactical setup on Sunday, it was these moments that allowed Mexico to easily regain possession of the ball and keep the Americans on their toes, resulting in Jimenez’s first-half equalizer and Alvarez’s second-half victory.
To be fair to Pochettino, with such an early advantage in the game, most managers would want to take fewer risks in possession and get the ball out as soon as possible. With the addition of Downs, there appeared to be an attempt to adopt a different tactic, which resulted in improved ball control, albeit with only three shots in the last 45 minutes.
In any case, Mexico was content to routinely retrieve the ball in dangerous areas of the field, paving the route for its victory throughout the game.
Alvarez Leads Mexico to Historic 10th Gold Cup Victory
Alvarez deserves enormous credit. Without respite this summer, the West Ham midfielder started every game for Mexico at the Gold Cup, commanding the heart of the squad but also shifting back into defense as needed.
Alvarez does much of the heavy work in his half of the pitch regularly, but he does not receive the same praise as a dangerous forward like Raul Jimenez or the buzz of a young player like 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, who appears to be the next big thing.
But that was not the case on Sunday. Although an earlier offside call appeared to knock out Alvarez’s headed strike into the back of the net, a dramatic wait and decision by VAR vindicated the captain’s efforts, and he concluded the tournament with two goals and an assist.
With a flawless start to the Gold Cup with Mexico’s first goal of the tournament, it was only appropriate that he would later secure an equally beautiful ending with the title-winning goal Sunday.
USMNT Falls Short Again in Gold Cup Final Against Mexico
There is little doubt that the rivalry between the United States and Mexico is no longer as one-sided as it was in the twentieth century. With the expansion of American soccer at the club and national team levels, the United States has consistently been able to compete in the contemporary age, winning a seven-game undefeated streak as recently as last year.
The Gold Cup, however, shows a different narrative.
Sunday’s encounter was the eighth time the two international neighbors met in the tournament’s final, with Mexico winning six of those meetings.
Pochettino’s summer team consisted of lesser-known players, including Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, and Weston McKennie, among others. However, in March, despite having a superior lineup, the United States was unable to win the 2024-25 Nations League after losing to Panama in the semifinals and then to Canada in the third-place match.
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