{"id":45017,"date":"2025-07-07T03:48:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T03:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45017\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T03:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T03:48:11","slug":"usa-vs-mexico-highlights-score","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45017\/","title":{"rendered":"USA vs Mexico highlights, score"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Weston McKennie: Landon Donovan’s dig at Christian Pulisic was sad<\/p>\n

U.S. Men’s National Team standout Weston McKennie reacts to Landon Donovan’s comments regarding Christian Pulisic.<\/p>\n

Sports Seriously<\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be a long year ahead for the U.S. men’s national team<\/a> before the 2026 World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mexican captain Edson \u00c1lvarez scored a late header (77\u2019) confirmed by VAR, and Mexico defeated the United States, 2-1, in the Concacaf Gold Cup final<\/a> at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 6.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, we\u2019re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win,\u201d said 37-year-old USMNT defender Tim Ream after the match.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s side. Mexico\u2019s Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez answered with a goal in the 27th minute to tie the match.<\/p>\n

There was a controversial no-call when Mexico\u2019s Jorge S\u00e1nchez fell hand-first onto the ball inside the 18-yard box in the 67th minute. S\u00e1nchez 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.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThey needed this experience to grow,\u201d former USMNT standout and FOX analyst Landon Donovan said during the postgame coverage. \u201cIt was their A team against our version of a B team. They will grow from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the second loss to Mexico for the USMNT under Pochettino \u2014 an Argentine who coached soccer giants like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea \u2014 hired in Sept. 2024. He has nine wins, a draw and six losses in 16 matches since taking the USMNT job.<\/p>\n

PLAYER RATINGS: <\/strong>Who stood out, who didn’t for USMNT vs. Mexico?<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Former USMNT standout and FOX analyst Alexi Lalas said this Gold Cup run was about \u201cestablishing a new identity\u201d for the U.S. this summer. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey got beaten tonight by a better team. That\u2019s OK,\u201d Lalas said. \u201cMore importantly, they established the identity that players on the outside looking in \u2013 whether Christian Pulisic or anybody \u2013 have to adapt to. There\u2019s a long game going on here. Next summer when the World Cup is here, we\u2019ll say \u2026 this is where the seeds were planted.\u201d<\/p>\n

USA TODAY Sports<\/a> provided updates and highlights from the Gold Cup final between the USMNT and Mexico:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Edson \u00c1lvarez scored a header in the 77th minute, but it was initially ruled offside. However, VAR determined \u00c1lvarez was onside. The goal will count. And USMNT has about 15 minutes left in the match to force added time.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s 16-year-old phenom Gilberto Mora has been substituted off, replaced by Orbel\u00edn Pineda in the 75th minute.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

USMNT\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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 Malag\u00f3n\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s C\u00e9sar 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.<\/p>\n

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

Rau\u0301l Jime\u0301nez evened up the score in the 27th minute in a moment that seemed inevitable.<\/p>\n

Now, the U.S. has some real “just hang on until halftime without allowing another goal” vibes.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez paid tribute<\/a> to his former teammate Diogo Jota<\/a> by doing his FIFA video game goal celebration, and holding a Mexico jersey with Jota\u2019s No. 20.<\/p>\n

Jim\u00e9nez and Jota were teammates at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League from 2018 to 2020.<\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s Ra\u00fal Jim\u00e9nez scored a goal with a left boot from the left side of the box to tie this Gold Cup final in the 27th minute.<\/p>\n

Jim\u00e9nez finished the assist from Marcel Ru\u00edz, and paid tribute to his former teammate Diogo Jot<\/a>a after the score.<\/p>\n

After an extravagant firework display during the Gold Cup final pregame ceremony, the smoke left behind a hazy appearance inside Houston\u2019s NRG Stadium, an indoor facility, during the opening minutes of the match.<\/p>\n

FOX sideline reporter Jenny Taft said she wasn\u2019t \u201cinhaling smoke\u201d on the pitch, but \u201cthis haze doesn\u2019t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes, of the NFL\u2019s Kansas City Chiefs, is tuned into the Gold Cup final. He posted this about the goal by USMNT\u2019s Chris Richards:<\/p>\n

\n

Great start!!!!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for USMNT to strike first. USMNT defender Chris Richard scored a header inside the box on a set piece (4\u2019) to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the second goal for Richards in the Gold Cup. His header hit the crossbar and landed inside the lower right corner.<\/p>\n