Overview

• Mexico rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat the United States 2-1 at Houston’s NRG Stadium with goals from Raúl Jiménez and Edson Álvarez.
• The victory marks Mexico’s 10th Gold Cup title in the modern era and its 13th continental championship overall, extending its regional dominance.
• Leading U.S. publications such as The Washington Post and USA Today criticized coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical approach and noted a rift with star player Christian Pulisic.
• The Washington Post highlighted a clear disconnect between Pochettino and Pulisic, warning the coach could omit the captain from upcoming friendlies.
• Critics warn that the defeat has exposed weaknesses in team cohesion and raised fresh concerns about the U.S. men’s national team’s preparedness for the 2026 World Cup.