Key events
1 min: The US go direct right from the kickoff. Mexico takes it the other way but Jimenez bundles over Berhalter to give it right back. Agyemang answers at the other end, fouling Montes.
So … end to end action. Of sorts.
Kickoff: The smoke has not cleared from the pregame. Cough.
Judging by the volume of singing of the Mexican national anthem, it would appear that Mexican fans are in the majority here.
We’re getting a stock recording of the US national anthem, which means it’s moving far more briskly than the typical melismatic ordeal that live singers enjoy.
The pregame entertainment is a bit like the dancing fountains at Bellagio, but with fire.
Now both teams are taking the field as the Guns and Roses classic Welcome to the Jungle plays. I think it’s an improvement over the Champions League theme, but tastes may differ.
Before the game … the supporters’ costume contest.
First up, from the USA …
And from Mexico …
USA-Mexico Gold Cup history
Finals involving the two giants of Concacaf …
1993: Mexico 4-0 in Mexico City.
1998: Mexico 1-0 in Los Angeles.
2007: USA 2-1 in Chicago.
2009: One of the darker days for the US team – Mexico 5-0 in Chicago.
2011: Also a dark day for the US, which led 2-0 before Mexico rallied. Mexico 4-2 in Pasadena (Rose Bowl).
2019: Mexico 1-0 in Chicago.
2021: USA 1-0 in Las Vegas.
The USA also won the 2024 Concacaf Nations League final in The Giant Jerry Jones Cowboys Stadium outside Dallas. So they’re 1-0 against Mexico in Concacaf finals in Texas.
Lineups
USA will have no changes from the starting XI that beat Guatemala in the semifinals: Freese; Arfsten, Ream, Richards, Freeman; de la Torre, Adams; Luna, Tillman, Berhalter; Agyemang
Mexico: Malagon; Gallardo, Vasquez, Montes, Sanchez; Ruiz, Alvarez, Mora; Vega, Jimenez, Alvarado. Gallardo returns from a suspension that caused him to miss the semifinal.
The venue is the massive NRG Stadium in Houston, and it’s sold out. We’ll see the composition of that crowd at kickoff.
The referee is Mario Escobar of Guatemala. He also had the whistle for the 2019 final between these same teams, which Mexico won 1-0.
Preamble
Welcome to one of the great rivalries in sports.
We’ll forget all the people who are not here at this point. We’ll forget about the fact that this final is the conclusion of a “regional championship” that included Saudi Arabia. Someone’s going to get a trophy here. And a lot of players will be trying to make their mark in a meaningful game, hoping for a good impression that will last until the World Cup rosters are made next year.
Comments are welcome and encouraged as always.
Beau will be here shortly.
Until then, read up on The US’s path to the final with Leander Schaerlaeckens:
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