Washington, 8 July 2019 (dpa/MIA) – Mexico beat the US 1-0 on Sunday to seize the Gold Cup for the eighth time, with a goal from Jonathan dos Santos clinching the win for El Tri in the 73rd minute.

It was Mexico’s first Gold Cup victory since 2015, but Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team had been the favourites to win the match, played in front of more than 62,000 football fans at Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium.

The night was a fresh disappointment for the US team, who have been defeated five times by Mexico in six meetings at the Gold Cup final. Their only victory against them was in 2007. </s> CHICAGO – Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, it’s a common match-up for the championship.

Sunday would be the sixth time that the United States Men’s National Team would meet Mexico for the CONCACAF Gold Cup title. In the previous five, “El Tri” owned the edge, winning four of the contests, including the last two meetings in 2009 and 2011.

To find the only United States win, you’d have to go back to the 2007 final, which was played at Soldier Field. Perhaps returning to the final in Chicago would give the USMNT a boost against the regional rival?

While it produced a few great chances, it once again wasn’t meant to be for them to pull through with a win against El Tri, who beat the US 1-0 to win the Gold Cup title.

Greg Berhalter’s squad had a few great opportunities to grab the lead, but they failed to put one in the net, and Jonathan dos Santos’ goal in the 73rd minute was the difference. It’s the eighth Gold Cup title for Mexico, and the fifth time they’ve won the tournament with a final win over the USWNT.

Maybe it would have been different had this eighth-minute opportunity by Jozy Altidore had been converted. But after getting the long ball, then beating a defender, he pushed the shot wide of the net to end the scoring chance.

Jordan Morris looked to have himself a goal in the 51st minute, but Mexico’s Andres Guardado was there to head it out after the ball got past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Eventually, Mexico got on the board in the 73rd minute, when dos Santos took a short pass from Raul Jimenez and fired it into the goal from just inside the box to make it 1-0.

The United States would continue to make pushes on the goal to no avail, as Ochoa stopped any threat in the final 17 minutes as Mexico once again captured a Gold Cup championship. </s> The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Mexico in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday, July 7 at 6 p.m. PT at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. You can watch the game on Fox Sports 1, or you can watch the match live for free with FuboTV (free trial).

See how to watch and follow live updates from the game here.

The United States advanced to the final after beating Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinals, while Mexico advanced to the final after beating Haiti 1-0 on a penalty kick in extra time in the semifinals. The United States won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-1 win over Jamaica.

If you are looking to watch the USMNT take on Mexico, here’s what you need to know:

What: The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Mexico in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

TV Channel: Fox Sports 1 (In Portland: Comcast 408/723); In Spanish on Univision.

Watch online: You can watch the live stream of the game on Fox Sports Go with your cable provider, or you can watch live online for free when you try FuboTV (free trial). </s> Jonathan dos Santos was the hero as his goal saw Mexico edge the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Mexico claimed their eighth CONCACAF Gold Cup title with an entertaining 1-0 win over the United States in the final on Sunday.

Jonathan dos Santos was the hero with the 73rd-minute winner at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Dos Santos took his chance excellently in a game during which USA squandered theirs, with Christian Pulisic and Jozy Altidore missing early opportunities.

Jordan Morris also had a header cleared off the line before Dos Santos’ winner came after a period of dominance by Gerardo Martino’s men.

USA made a brilliant start and created two great chances in the opening eight minutes.

The first opportunity fell to Pulisic, who was denied in a one-on-one by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa after being set up by Altidore.

Altidore should have opened the scoring for USA soon after, but he scuffed an effort wide after a wonderful change of direction on the edge of the area.

Mexico responded and almost took the lead through Andres Guardado, who blazed over from inside the area under heavy pressure from Paul Arriola.

In what was a frantic end-to-end first half, Arriola fired another decent chance wide for USA from inside the area.

USA continued to enjoy the better opportunities to begin the second half, with Morris’ 51st-minute header from a corner cleared off the line by Guardado.

Mexico were much-improved after that chance, enjoying a good period that included Jesus Gallardo directing a 25-yard volley straight at USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 68th minute.

And they capitalised on their period of dominance with the opener just five minutes later through Dos Santos’ third international goal.

A fine move down the right led to Raul Jimenez back-heeling a pass into the path of Dos Santos, whose excellent left-footed effort went in via the underside of the crossbar from just inside the area.

That would prove to be enough for Mexico as they saw out the closing stages to secure the title.

While USA had the better of the chances, Mexico’s win marked their eighth Gold Cup crown. That moved them two titles clear of USA, who have won six.

Mexico impressed after Martino took charge in January, although their performances in the knockout stage of the Gold Cup never reached any great heights. Still, the Argentinian helped deliver the title for Mexico.

The hosts dominated long periods without capitalising and they were made to pay. Pulisic and Altidore missed good chances and Morris had another cleared off the line, while Mexico saw their period of dominance capped off with Dos Santos’ winner.

USA are looking ahead to the CONCACAF Nations League in October, while Mexico will face Argentina in a friendly in September. </s> For years, the winner of the Gold Cup earned two prizes. First and foremost, the champion earned bragging rights for North American and the Caribbean. In addition, the tournament winner qualified for the FIFA Confederation’s Cup since 1997.

After 2005, every other Gold Cup winner earned a spot in the tournament that took place the year before the World Cup. The United States used the 2009 edition as a springboard to win its group in South Africa in 2010.

However, that changed in April 2018. FIFA announced that the Confederation’s Cup would be shuttered in advance of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. According to IOL, the plan at the moment is to replace that tournament with an expanded Club World Cup.

It would now be held every fourth June in the year before a World Cup — just as the Confederations Cup was. Last year’s Confederations Cup in Russia — won by Germany — would therefore be the last. The competition would last 18 days. The new format means the club competition would interfere less with the rest of the football calendar, particularly in Europe.

Carlos Codeiro, president of the United States Soccer Federation, confirmed this past February to that FIFA would move ahead with this plan.

“It’s done and over with,” he said, according to The Athletic. “In place of Confederations Cup there will be intracontinental playoffs to get to that 48-team (World Cup).”

According to Yahoo Sports, this also could be the second-to-last Gold Cup. The final one could be played in 2021.

Cordeiro went on to say the Gold Cup could be scrapped after the 2021 edition. “The Gold Cup is only legislated for this year and 2021, so it could go on but it may not happen,” he said. “There have been talks in the last year between CONMEBOL (the South American confederation) and CONCACAF on a kind of combined Copa America,” he added, “but they haven’t been able to come to an agreement on that.”

This means that the winner tonight between the United States and Mexico are playing for national pride and bragging rights rather than any sort of qualification for something substantial.

First Half Stats for USA Mexico in the Gold Cup Final

The Gold Cup final is tied at 0-0 entering halftime.

El Tri and the Stars and Stripes played a chippy and close affair in the first 45 minutes Sunday night at Soldier Field. They combined for 14 fouls and got into more than a few shoving matches after excessive contact.

Both times earned tantalizing opportunities in front of the other’s net. Jozy Altidore, Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola all barely missed wide, as the United States put up five shots overall. Meanwhile, Mexico launched eight shots, including two at Zach Steffen, while controlling possession by a 53-47 margin.

Both teams advanced to final on the back of excellent defense. The Americans allowed just one goal through the first five matches, while El Tri survived in the elimination rounds despite scoring just twice before penalty kicks.

The team that breaks through first should be able to leave Chicago with the title. </s> FRESNO, Calif. -- The United States men's national team fell 1-0 to Mexico in the Gold Cup final.Although the game was played at Soldier Field in Chicago, commentators said it was a decidedly "pro-Mexican" crowd.After a scoreless first half, Mexico's Jonathan dos Santos opened the scoring. His goal hit the underside of the crossbar and went in to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute.The US had plenty of chances after the Mexican goal with 7 total corner kicks but couldn't break through.It was the sixth time the two sides met in the Gold Cup final and Mexico improved to 5-1 in the series all time.Earlier in the day the US women's national team won their 4th World Cup beating the Netherlands 2-0. </s> US lineup unchanged for Gold Cup final vs Mexico

CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter left his starting lineup unchanged for Sunday night's CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico and made Weston McKennie captain for the first time.

Zack Steffen was in goal for the defending champions, with Reggie Cannon at right back, Matt Miazga and Aaron Long in central defense and Tim Ream at left back.

Michael Bradley was in the back of the midfield, with McKennie and Christian Pulisic ahead. Paul Arriola and Jordan Morris were on the flanks, and Jozy Altidore headed the attack.

McKennie scored in the 1-0 quarterfinal win over Curacao and had the first goal in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Jamaica. </s> Paul Arriola of the United States fouls Luis Rodriguez of Mexico in the first half Sunday in Chicago. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

CHICAGO — Long before it started, Sunday’s match against Mexico already carried weight for the U.S. men’s national soccer team thanks to the opponent: the Americans’ southern rival and a regional power. Then toss in these stakes: One team would end the night celebrating with the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy.

The teams had met five previous times in the Gold Cup final, but this year’s edition held additional value: The Americans had a chance to reestablish confidence in a program still haunted by its failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

U.S. Coach Gregg Berhalter singled out July 7 as the all-important date when the team started training camp in May. This was the night the Americans would work toward together. But when the Gold Cup final arrived, the U.S. team couldn’t top tournament-favorite Mexico in a 1-0 loss at Soldier Field.

The Americans had early chances, but Mexico looked like the more dangerous team in the second half. It finally broke through in the 73rd minute when Jonathan dos Santos scored off a back-heel pass from Raul Jimenez, prompting fountains of beer to fly upward in the pro-Mexico crowd. The ball barely hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

“Over the course of 90 minutes, Mexico was the better team,” Berhalter said. “Having said that, we started the game really bright. We came out, created some really good chances.”

Thousands of Mexican supporters flocked to Soldier Field hours in advance, greeting the U.S. team with boos and filling the stadium with Mexican flags as kickoff approached.

But for the Americans, the past month has been about development as much as a journey to the final. Berhalter has only led the program since December, and players have had to learn new roles. The first half, striker Jozy Altidore said, “showed the ideas that Gregg has, the ideas of the players being brave and wanting to play this style.” And that’s tangible progress.

The Americans created scoring opportunities early — one of the positive trends through the tournament, Berhalter said — but the United States never capitalized. Christian Pulisic had an early attempt saved by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Soon after, Altidore sent the ball just to the right of the post.

When Mexico’s defensive miscommunication in the 31st minute caught Ochoa away from the net, Paul Arriola’s shot rolled just outside the left post. Early in the second half, Jordan Morris tried to head in the ball from close range off a corner kick, but Mexico’s Andres Guardado blocked the shot on the goal line.

“Obviously everyone’s disappointed,” Morris said. “... It’s a game we felt like we could have won, had some clear-cut chances.”

The game started to swing into Mexico’s control in the second half. The U.S. team struggled in midfield against El Tri, and after the break, Berhalter saw his players rushing their attacks, draining their energy by playing more of a vertical game.

After falling behind, the Americans had a couple of late chances off corner kicks, but Mexico’s defense managed to keep the ball out of the net.

In a hostile environment with a raucous crowd that favored Mexico, Berhalter said his group lacked poise and composure, while “Mexico certainly had it.” But now the younger players have this experience, something to build on heading into this new World Cup cycle.

Even though the United States arrived in Chicago after an encouraging performance against Jamaica in the semifinal, the team still hadn’t been tested quite like this.

“That’s what’s hard about these tournaments,” Altidore said. “You play games that kind of aren’t up to scruff until the final. The final is a huge step — faster game, just way more intense than some of the group-stage games. In that regard, it was tough but it was a good measuring stick of where we’re trying to go.”

Each game added a new layer of judgment about this team: How well have the players learned their roles in Berhalter’s system? And how well will it work? Some games have showed promise. Other moments have illuminated concerns.

The U.S. team only conceded two goals through six games. The semifinal win showcased bursts of cohesion. But against Mexico, the Americans’ toughest challenger since Berhalter took over in December, the U.S. squad couldn’t rise to the level of its rival. There’s still solace in the progress, the learning and the experience.

“I think it’s a step forward,” Altidore said. “If you look at the final here today and how we started the game, I think was terrific. I’ve been on this team a long time. To see that initiative, to see the guys eager to play forward and play out of pressure and keep the ball in a game like this, this is progress in my opinion.”

The Gold Cup final could have been even more: a confidence-building night in this new era of U.S. men’s soccer. Instead, the team exits with a mix of performances that suggested improvement but ultimately a final night in Chicago that left it off the top tier of men’s soccer in the region.

“When you talk about a step the team needs to take, we’re close," Berhalter said. "We’re close. But we weren’t there tonight.”

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The U.S. women’s national team is fearless. It showed again in a win against England. </s> Haiti midfielder Steeven Saba and Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado (18) fight for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match, Tuesday, July 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Mexico played with flair, dominated the ball, dodged a few counters by Haiti.

El Tri played a complete game except for one area: Finishing.

Unable to score on multiple golden opportunities, Mexico needed Raul Jimenez’s goal on a penalty kick in the 93rd minute to end Haiti’s impressive Gold Cup run in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night.

“We are very happy with the players’ effort,” Mexico assistant coach Jorge Theiler said through a translator. “Mexico is going to the finals and that’s what matters.”

Mexico dominated possession, yet could not find a way to put the finishing touches in Haiti’s end, allowing Les Grenadiers to hang around and build confidence while playing to a scoreless tie in regulation.

Jimenez was awarded a penalty kick early in the extra time after Herve Bazile took him down at the edge of the penalty box. Jimenez slow-played the penalty kick, slipping it behind Jhony Placide after the Haitian goalie dove to his right to bring the crowd to its feet.

El Tri moves on to face defending champion United States or Jamaica in Sunday’s final at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

“We just kept doing what we were doing and we showed a lot of character,” Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo said. “There have been games where we could do a lot of what we wanted and others where we couldn’t. That’s how these tournaments go. We did what we had to do.”

Haiti had several good chances on counters after absorbing Mexico’s pressure, yet couldn’t get a ball into the net in its first Gold Cup semifinals.

Les Grenadiers had a final chance to tie in the 119th minute, but Mikeal Gabriel Cantave’s shot hit the crossbar and popped straight up in the air to Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa.

“We knew Mexico would probably dominate the possession,” Haiti coach Marc Collat said through a translator. “We wanted to keep it tied as long as we could and take advantage of our opportunities, but unfortunately we could not take advantage.”

Mexico, a seven-time Gold Cup champion, arrived in the desert as an overwhelming favorite against the young, confident Haitian side.

Ranked No. 101 in the world, Haiti did not bow under the pressure of playing in its first Gold Cup semifinal or facing mighty Mexico in front of 64,000 fans who made it feel like a home match for El Tri.

Haiti beat Canada in the semifinals for its biggest win since qualifying for the 1974 World Cup and did not back down from Mexico, withstanding El Tri’s constant pressure and counterattacking when the opportunity arose.

With manager Gerardo Martino watching from a suite above — he was suspended after picking up two yellow cards — Mexico struggled to finish in the first half despite numerous chances. Placide also made a diving save on Jimenez’s header late in the half to keep Les Grenadiers tied at halftime.

Placide made another spectacular save in the 67th minute, leaping to knock away Andres Guardado’s free kick from just outside the penalty box, and Mexico continued to watch quality scoring opportunities come up empty.

“It’s what we do, we fight,” Haiti defender Andrew Jean Baptiste said.

Haiti failed in three previous attempts to get past the Gold Cup quarterfinals, including a loss to Mexico in 2009.

Les Grenadiers, with their mix-and-match of young players born in countries across the globe, overcame language barriers — they speak everything from Creole to Portuguese — to make a monumental breakthrough to inspire a country that still hasn’t fully recovered from a massive earthquake in 2011.

Haiti won its group with a surprising comeback win over Costa Rica and rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to beat Canada 3-2 to reach its first Gold Cup semifinals.

Haiti’s confidence carried into its game against El Tri.

Mexico, which beat Costa Rica on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals, used its crisp-passing control game to pressure Haiti throughout the first half. But Les Grenadiers played a countering, direct-attack game to create a few chances of their own.

With Mexico unable to finish, Haiti seemed to build more confidence the longer the game remained tied.

Les Grenadiers fought to a scoreless tie in regulation, but their dream run ended with a penalty kick and a hit crossbar in extra time.

“We left it all on the field,” Baptiste said. “Guys could barely walk off the field.” </s> Former German international striker Jurgen Klinsmann was fired Monday as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team after losing two straight 2018 World Cup qualifying matches, including last week’s 4-0 blowout to Costa Rica.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati announced the firing without naming a replacement. The United States does not face another World Cup qualifier until March.

“Today we made the difficult decision of parting ways with Jurgen Klinsmann,” Gulati said in a statement. “We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years. He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program and there were considerable achievements along the way.”

Klinsmann went 55-27 with 16 drawn in a coaching tenure that began on July 29, 2011, when Gulati named him to replace the fired Bob Bradley on a team where Bradley’s son Michael was a star midfielder.

Klinsmann, 52, guided the U.S. on a team record 12-match win streak in 2013 and his 16 triumphs and .761 win percentage that year set U.S. marks. But the Yanks stumbled to fourth in the 2015 Gold Cup, also losing a playoff to Mexico for the Confederations Cup.

Earlier this month, the U.S. squad stumbled badly in opening the final round of North American (CONCACAF) qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, falling 2-1 at home to arch-rival Mexico and then 4-0 at Costa Rica.

Bruce Arena, a five-time Major League Soccer champion coach now with the Los Angeles Galaxy, is thought to be a prime candidate to replace Klinsmann. The 65-year-old American coached the U.S. team to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and guided a 2006 US lineup that exited in the group stages.

Under Klinsmann in 2014, the U.S. matched their 2010 World Cup showing by reaching the last 16.
Mexico wins their eighth Gold Cup, defeating the United States 1–0 in the final match in Chicago.