Overview

• Mexico secured a 2-1 win at Houston’s NRG Stadium, outshooting the USMNT 16-6 and controlling 60% of possession in the final.
• Coach Mauricio Pochettino labeled the officiating “embarrassing” after a clear handball by Jorge Sánchez went unpunished and challenged several calls.
• In the absence of stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, newcomers Diego Luna, goalkeeper Matt Freese, Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter seized key roles.
• Pochettino framed the Gold Cup as a culture-building exercise focused on self-criticism, resilience and internal competition for roster spots.
• The USMNT opens a fall slate against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan on Sept. 9 as part of eight friendlies to finalize the 2026 World Cup roster.