CONCACAF Gold Cup Final: USA vs. Mexico Picks — Pochettino to Land First Major Honor? (Jul 6)

Just two nations remain in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the final will pit together two of next summer’s World Cup hosts against one another.

Mauricio Pochettino deserves huge credit for regaining control of the narrative with the U.S., guiding the team to the final despite a row with Christian Pulisic threatening to derail their summer goal.

Mexico has been the dominant force in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in recent years, winning the edition in 2023, and reaching at least the final in four of the last five renewals.

USA vs. Mexico Overview

Odds

USA vs. Mexico Head-to-Head Record

This weekend’s showdown represents a rematch of the 2021 Gold Cup final, which was won 1-0 by the U.S. after extra time. Overall, it is the fifth meeting between the nations in the final since 2005, with Mexico holding the advantage with three wins.

USA Team News

Pochettino has fielded a largely unchanged team in each of the last two rounds of the Gold Cup. Diego Luna was the chief tormentor in the semi-final against Guatemala after netting twice in the 2-1 success.

Possible Lineup

M. Freese (GK); M. Arfsten, T. Ream, C. Richards, A. Freeman, T. Adams, L. De La Torre, S. Berhalter, M. Tillman, D. Luna, P. Agyemang

Mexico Team News

Javier Aguirre’s Mexico has been consistent throughout the Gold Cup, and the coach has largely kept faith in the same starting eleven throughout the tournament. Raul Jimenez will once again lead the line after netting the winner against Honduras on Wednesday.

Possible Lineup

L. Malagon (GK); J. Araujo, C. Montes, J. Vasquez, M. Chavez, G. Mora, E. Alvarez, M. Ruiz, R. Alvarado, R. Jimenez, A. Vega

USA vs. Mexico Picks

There is little to debate; the U.S. and Mexico are the leading nations in the CONCACAF region.

Both teams have performed incredibly well to reach this stage of the competition, despite facing questions before a ball was kicked this summer.

However, Mexico’s dominant record in the tournament is hard to overlook, meaning that the narrow preference is for Aguirre’s side on Sunday.