Overview

• Mexico came from behind at Houston’s NRG Stadium to secure a 2–1 win over the USMNT in the Gold Cup final
• Chris Richards opened the scoring with a fourth-minute header, but Edson Álvarez’s VAR-awarded header in the 78th minute proved decisive
• Mexico dominated possession with 60 percent of the ball and outshot the United States 16-6, exposing USMNT struggles in midfield control and chance creation
• Coach Mauricio Pochettino criticized the decision not to award a penalty on Jorge Sánchez’s handball, calling the refereeing “embarrassing” while defending his roster choices
• The USMNT has already shifted its attention to assessing talent and building squad cohesion as it prepares for upcoming friendlies and the 2026 World Cup on home soil