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Weston McKennie: Landon Donovan’s dig at Christian Pulisic was sad

U.S. Men’s National Team standout Weston McKennie reacts to Landon Donovan’s comments regarding Christian Pulisic.

Sports Seriously

It’s going to be a long year ahead for the U.S. men’s national team before the 2026 World Cup.

Mexican captain Edson Álvarez scored a late header (77’) confirmed by VAR, and Mexico defeated the United States, 2-1, in the Concacaf Gold Cup final at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 6.

Mexico has won back-to-back Gold Cup titles. Both countries had alternated winning Gold Cup titles at the bi-annual tournament since 2011 (the U.S. won in 2013, 2017, 2021, while Mexico won in 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 and 2025). Mexico also got its first win in a tournament final over the USMNT since the 2019 Gold Cup, ending a three-game losing streak to the USMNT in tournament finals.

“Overall, we’re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win,” said 37-year-old USMNT defender Tim Ream after the match.

USMNT defender Chris Richards scored a header in the fourth minute to take an early 1-0 lead in a thrilling start for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez answered with a goal in the 27th minute to tie the match.

There was a controversial no-call when Mexico’s Jorge Sánchez fell hand-first onto the ball inside the 18-yard box in the 67th minute. Sánchez was falling and braced himself for the fall as the ball rolled under his hand. The referee waved off a potential penalty after the sequence.

The result is unfortunate for USMNT, which played without star captain Christian Pulisic and several other key players who opted to rest or join their teams in the FIFA Club World Cup.

“They needed this experience to grow,” former USMNT standout and FOX analyst Landon Donovan said during the postgame coverage. “It was their A team against our version of a B team. They will grow from it.”

It’s the second loss to Mexico for the USMNT under Pochettino — an Argentine who coached soccer giants like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea — hired in Sept. 2024. He has nine wins, a draw and six losses in 16 matches since taking the USMNT job.

PLAYER RATINGS: Who stood out, who didn’t for USMNT vs. Mexico?

The USMNT will continue to prepare for the next World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico next summer.

Former USMNT standout and FOX analyst Alexi Lalas said this Gold Cup run was about “establishing a new identity” for the U.S. this summer.  

“They got beaten tonight by a better team. That’s OK,” Lalas said. “More importantly, they established the identity that players on the outside looking in – whether Christian Pulisic or anybody – have to adapt to. There’s a long game going on here. Next summer when the World Cup is here, we’ll say … this is where the seeds were planted.”

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the Gold Cup final between the USMNT and Mexico:

Edson Álvarez scored a header in the 77th minute, but it was initially ruled offside. However, VAR determined Álvarez was onside. The goal will count. And USMNT has about 15 minutes left in the match to force added time.

Mexico’s 16-year-old phenom Gilberto Mora has been substituted off, replaced by Orbelín Pineda in the 75th minute.

Coming into the match for USMNT is Damion Downs, who turned 21 on July 6. Downs plays for FC Cologne in the German Bundesliga. He replaced MLS San Diego FC standout Luca de la Torre in the lineup.

USMNT’s Max Arfsten fired a right boot from outside the box that nearly scored in the 54th minute. The Columbus Crew standout was close from putting the U.S. in front.

Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado sent a beauty of a left boot outside the box, but missed to the left of the goal in the 51st minute. USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freeze appeared frozen as he watched the ball sail away from the net.

USMNT had a prime opportunity in the closing minutes of the first half, but could not convert. Alex Freeman missed a header inside the box that hit off Mexican goalkeeper Luis Malagón’s head. Patrick Agyemang was unable to gather his footing for an attempt, and Diego Luna fired a shot that sailed over the net in a frantic sequence.

Mexico’s César Montes received a yellow card for a sliding tackle on USMNT forward Patrick Agyemang in the 44th minute. However, USMNT was unable to make anything happen on the set piece from Sebastian Berhalter’s free kick.

Ever since the USMNT’s early goal by Chris Richards, Mexico has dominated possession under the hazy dome at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Raúl Jiménez evened up the score in the 27th minute in a moment that seemed inevitable.

Now, the U.S. has some real “just hang on until halftime without allowing another goal” vibes.

Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez paid tribute to his former teammate Diogo Jota by doing his FIFA video game goal celebration, and holding a Mexico jersey with Jota’s No. 20.

Jiménez and Jota were teammates at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League from 2018 to 2020.

Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez scored a goal with a left boot from the left side of the box to tie this Gold Cup final in the 27th minute.

Jiménez finished the assist from Marcel Ruíz, and paid tribute to his former teammate Diogo Jota after the score.

After an extravagant firework display during the Gold Cup final pregame ceremony, the smoke left behind a hazy appearance inside Houston’s NRG Stadium, an indoor facility, during the opening minutes of the match.

FOX sideline reporter Jenny Taft said she wasn’t “inhaling smoke” on the pitch, but “this haze doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.”

Three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes, of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, is tuned into the Gold Cup final. He posted this about the goal by USMNT’s Chris Richards:

The goal by USMNT defender Chris Richards was the first goal Mexico allowed since their opening match in the Gold Cup, a stretch of four games. Mexico beat Dominican Republic 3-2 to open the tournament, and did not allow a goal until Richards punched in the early 1-0 lead for USMNT.

It didn’t take long for USMNT to strike first. USMNT defender Chris Richard scored a header inside the box on a set piece (4’) to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.

It’s the second goal for Richards in the Gold Cup. His header hit the crossbar and landed inside the lower right corner.

  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Location: NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
  • TV: FOX (English). Univision, TUDN and Galavision (all Spanish). With both the English- and Spanish-language broadcast pregame shows beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
  • Stream: Fubo

Watch USMNT vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup final with a free trial of Fubo

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final between the USMNT and Mexico is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Before the Gold Cup final, Concacaf announced the match will be a sellout at NRG Stadium in Houston. More than 70,000 fans are expected to attend, the organization said in a statement.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino is sticking with the players who got the team to the Concacaf Gold Cup final.

El Tri coach Javier Aguirre has named his starting lineup against the U.S. in the Gold Cup final. That starting lineup includes 16-year-old phenom Gilberto Mora.

➤ USA 2, Mexico 2 (USA wins 4-3 in penalties): This won’t be easy for USMNT, but it’s time to see if they’re going to answer the call — not just on the pitch, but engaging the country’s interest to another level before the World Cup. — Safid Deen

➤ Mexico 2, USA 1: This is a tall task for the — outside of veteran defender Tim Ream — largely green USMNT. The 70,000-seat NRG Stadium is going to be filled with El Tri fans and the place might feel more like Estadio Azteca, Mexico City’s cauldron of sound and fury that has been a bugaboo for the U.S. One also has to wonder how much the U.S. has left in the tank, as coach Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t done much to mix up the starting lineups. Mexico comes in having lost its last three finals against the USMNT and will be highly motivated to turn the tide. Just like the USMNT, this is Mexico’s last real competitive match until the 2026 World Cup. — Jim Reineking

Why?

According to BetMGM on Sunday afternoon, these are the odds for the regular-time result of the match: Mexico +150; Draw +185; USA +210. Mexico are favorites to lift the trophy (-135) over the U.S. (+105).

You ask former U.S. men’s national soccer team standouts Marcelo Balboa and Stu Holden about the Concacaf Gold Cup final, and the competitive spirit just oozes from their soul.

Especially since USMNT will face its biggest rival, Mexico, in the Sunday, July 6 match at NRG Stadium in Houston.

“Listen, you never want to lose to Mexico,” Balboa, 57, told USA TODAY Sports, before he joins the Gold Cup’s Spanish-language broadcast on Univision, TUDN and ViX. “I’m retired. I haven’t played against Mexico a long time. Even when I play in the old legends games, I don’t want to lose to Mexico.” — Safid Deen

MORE: Has the USMNT already won at this Gold Cup?

The Gold Cup is a biennial tournament for national teams in the North and Central American and Caribbean region associated with Concacaf. Mexico (nine times), the U.S. (seven times) and Canada (one time) are the only nations to have won the Gold Cup. Mexico won the last Gold Cup competition in 2023.

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/England)

Defenders (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/France), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/England), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel/Germany), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/England), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/Spain), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands)

Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht/Netherlands), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Damion Downs (FC Köln/Germany), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada)

MORE: Why isn’t Christian Pulisic playing for USMNT vs. Mexico in Gold Cup final?

Goalkeepers (3): Luis Ángel Malagón (América), Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol SAD/Portugal), Raúl Rangel (Chivas)

Defenders (8): Julián Araujo (Bournemouth/England), Matéo Chávez (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), César Montes (FC Lokomotiv/Russia), Jesús Orozco (Cruz Azul), Israel Reyes (Club América), Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul), Johán Vázquez (Genoa/Italy)

Midfielders (7): Edson Álvarez (West Ham United/England), Luis Chávez (FC Dynamo Moscow/Russia), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens/Greece), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Marcel Ruíz (Toluca)

Forwards (7): Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Efraín Álvarez (Chivas), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan/Italy), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht/Belgium), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham/England), Efraín Álvarez (Chivas), Ángel Sepúlveda (Cruz Azul)

MORE Mexico star Santiago Gimenez denies AC Milan exit rumors

The USMNT and Mexico have met 78 times in a rivalry that dates back to 1934. Mexico holds the all-time series edge with 37 wins to the USA’s 24 with 17 ties between the two.

Here is how the previous five matchups have gone:

  • 2023: Mexico over Panama, 1-0
  • 2021: United States over Mexico, 1-0
  • 2019: Mexico over United States, 2-1
  • 2017: United States over Jamaica, 2-1
  • 2015: Mexico over Jamaica, 3-1
  • 2013: United States over Panama, 1-0
  • 2011: Mexico over United States, 4-2
  • 2009: Mexico over United States, 5-0
  • 2007: United States over Mexico, 2-1
  • 2005: United States over Panama, 0-0 (U.S. won penalty shootout, 3-1)
  • 2003: Mexico over Brazil, 1-0 (Mexico won on a golden goal)
  • 2002: United States over Costa Rica, 2-0
  • 2000: Canada over Colombia, 2-0
  • 1998: Mexico over United States, 1-0
  • 1996: Mexico over Brazil, 2-0
  • 1993: Mexico over United States, 4-0
  • 1991: United States over Honduras, 0-0 (U.S. won penalty shootout, 4-3)