By Graham Ruthven
A rivalry resumed
Matches between Mexico and the USA all the time matter, however Sunday’s assembly between the 2 CONCACAF rivals can be performed with much more at stake.
Not solely is the 2025 Gold Cup up for grabs, Mexico and USA are making ready for the 2026 World Cup on dwelling soil and so Sunday’s match can be analysed by way of the prism of what it’ll imply for the event a 12 months from now.
Mauricio Pochettino has been with out lots of his greatest gamers together with Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie this summer season, however others corresponding to Diego Luna and Malik Tillman have stepped up of their place.
Mexico floor out a win over Honduras of their semi-final to safe a spot in Sunday’s Gold Cup last with Javier Aguirre’s workforce at the moment on a run of 4 straight clear sheets within the competitors.
El Tri are only one win away from efficiently defending the Gold Cup title they received two years in the past. They’re extensively seen as favourites to carry the trophy once more.
Key gamers
Luna produced his greatest efficiency in a US jersey within the 2-1 semi-final victory over Guatemala, scoring each objectives to get his workforce by way of a difficult check. His second objective specifically was a superb piece of attacking play.
Tillman has additionally proved himself as a difference-maker for the USA on the 2025 Gold Cup, scoring three objectives in 4 video games. The PSV attacking midfielder will pose a risk in opposition to Mexico on Sunday.
Chris Richards has stood out because the USA’s dominant defensive presence whereas Tyler Adams has featured in each recreation he has been match for on the base of Pochettino’s midfield.
Raúl Jiménez scored the one objective of the sport as Mexico beat Honduras with the Fulham striker nonetheless El Tri’s sharpest attacking risk. Gilberto Mora arrange Jiménez and the 16-year-old has been the breakout star of the 2025 Gold Cup.
Edson Álvarez will maintain issues collectively for Aguirre’s workforce within the centre of the pitch whereas César Montes and Johan Vásquez are anticipated to begin as soon as once more in central defence, giving El Tri a strong basis.
Workforce information
Johnny Cardoso has been nursing an ankle damage for a lot of the 2025 Gold Cup, however may very well be again on the USA bench for the ultimate having returned to coaching this week. It’s not possible the Actual Betis midfielder will begin.
Pochettino faces a call in midfield with Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Luca De La Torre and Jack McGlynn contesting for 3 locations within the lineup. Regardless of a shaky efficiency in opposition to Guatemala, Matt Freese is predicted to maintain his place in objective.
Luis Chávez needed to go away the Mexico marketing campaign after struggling a severe ACL damage final week with the Dynamo Moscow midfielder anticipated to overlook the following eight months of motion. In any other case, Aguirre has a totally match and out there squad to select from.
Prediction
These two giants of CONCACAF have met one another in seven earlier Gold Cup finals, with Mexico popping out on high in 5 of these. For this one although, we predict Pochettino’s facet will redress the stability a bit: USA 2-1 Mexico.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You may comply with each recreation from the 2025 Gold Cup with FotMob – that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant scores. Obtain the free app right here.