CHICAGO – Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, it’s a common match-up for the championship.

Sunday would be the sixth time that the United States Men’s National Team would meet Mexico for the CONCACAF Gold Cup title. In the previous five, “El Tri” owned the edge, winning four of the contests, including the last two meetings in 2009 and 2011.

To find the only United States win, you’d have to go back to the 2007 final, which was played at Soldier Field. Perhaps returning to the final in Chicago would give the USMNT a boost against the regional rival?

While it produced a few great chances, it once again wasn’t meant to be for them to pull through with a win against El Tri, who beat the US 1-0 to win the Gold Cup title.

Greg Berhalter’s squad had a few great opportunities to grab the lead, but they failed to put one in the net, and Jonathan dos Santos’ goal in the 73rd minute was the difference. It’s the eighth Gold Cup title for Mexico, and the fifth time they’ve won the tournament with a final win over the USWNT.

Maybe it would have been different had this eighth-minute opportunity by Jozy Altidore had been converted. But after getting the long ball, then beating a defender, he pushed the shot wide of the net to end the scoring chance.

Jordan Morris looked to have himself a goal in the 51st minute, but Mexico’s Andres Guardado was there to head it out after the ball got past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Eventually, Mexico got on the board in the 73rd minute, when dos Santos took a short pass from Raul Jimenez and fired it into the goal from just inside the box to make it 1-0.

The United States would continue to make pushes on the goal to no avail, as Ochoa stopped any threat in the final 17 minutes as Mexico once again captured a Gold Cup championship. </s> Washington, 8 July 2019 (dpa/MIA) – Mexico beat the US 1-0 on Sunday to seize the Gold Cup for the eighth time, with a goal from Jonathan dos Santos clinching the win for El Tri in the 73rd minute.

It was Mexico’s first Gold Cup victory since 2015, but Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team had been the favourites to win the match, played in front of more than 62,000 football fans at Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium.

The night was a fresh disappointment for the US team, who have been defeated five times by Mexico in six meetings at the Gold Cup final. Their only victory against them was in 2007. </s> FRESNO, Calif. -- The United States men's national team fell 1-0 to Mexico in the Gold Cup final.Although the game was played at Soldier Field in Chicago, commentators said it was a decidedly "pro-Mexican" crowd.After a scoreless first half, Mexico's Jonathan dos Santos opened the scoring. His goal hit the underside of the crossbar and went in to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute.The US had plenty of chances after the Mexican goal with 7 total corner kicks but couldn't break through.It was the sixth time the two sides met in the Gold Cup final and Mexico improved to 5-1 in the series all time.Earlier in the day the US women's national team won their 4th World Cup beating the Netherlands 2-0. </s> The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Mexico in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday, July 7 at 6 p.m. PT at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. You can watch the game on Fox Sports 1, or you can watch the match live for free with FuboTV (free trial).

See how to watch and follow live updates from the game here.

The United States advanced to the final after beating Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinals, while Mexico advanced to the final after beating Haiti 1-0 on a penalty kick in extra time in the semifinals. The United States won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-1 win over Jamaica.

If you are looking to watch the USMNT take on Mexico, here’s what you need to know:

What: The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Mexico in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

TV Channel: Fox Sports 1 (In Portland: Comcast 408/723); In Spanish on Univision.

Watch online: You can watch the live stream of the game on Fox Sports Go with your cable provider, or you can watch live online for free when you try FuboTV (free trial). </s> US lineup unchanged for Gold Cup final vs Mexico

CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter left his starting lineup unchanged for Sunday night's CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico and made Weston McKennie captain for the first time.

Zack Steffen was in goal for the defending champions, with Reggie Cannon at right back, Matt Miazga and Aaron Long in central defense and Tim Ream at left back.

Michael Bradley was in the back of the midfield, with McKennie and Christian Pulisic ahead. Paul Arriola and Jordan Morris were on the flanks, and Jozy Altidore headed the attack.

McKennie scored in the 1-0 quarterfinal win over Curacao and had the first goal in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Jamaica. </s> Jonathan dos Santos was the hero as his goal saw Mexico edge the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Mexico claimed their eighth CONCACAF Gold Cup title with an entertaining 1-0 win over the United States in the final on Sunday.

Jonathan dos Santos was the hero with the 73rd-minute winner at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Dos Santos took his chance excellently in a game during which USA squandered theirs, with Christian Pulisic and Jozy Altidore missing early opportunities.

Jordan Morris also had a header cleared off the line before Dos Santos’ winner came after a period of dominance by Gerardo Martino’s men.

USA made a brilliant start and created two great chances in the opening eight minutes.

The first opportunity fell to Pulisic, who was denied in a one-on-one by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa after being set up by Altidore.

Altidore should have opened the scoring for USA soon after, but he scuffed an effort wide after a wonderful change of direction on the edge of the area.

Mexico responded and almost took the lead through Andres Guardado, who blazed over from inside the area under heavy pressure from Paul Arriola.

In what was a frantic end-to-end first half, Arriola fired another decent chance wide for USA from inside the area.

USA continued to enjoy the better opportunities to begin the second half, with Morris’ 51st-minute header from a corner cleared off the line by Guardado.

Mexico were much-improved after that chance, enjoying a good period that included Jesus Gallardo directing a 25-yard volley straight at USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 68th minute.

And they capitalised on their period of dominance with the opener just five minutes later through Dos Santos’ third international goal.

A fine move down the right led to Raul Jimenez back-heeling a pass into the path of Dos Santos, whose excellent left-footed effort went in via the underside of the crossbar from just inside the area.

That would prove to be enough for Mexico as they saw out the closing stages to secure the title.

While USA had the better of the chances, Mexico’s win marked their eighth Gold Cup crown. That moved them two titles clear of USA, who have won six.

Mexico impressed after Martino took charge in January, although their performances in the knockout stage of the Gold Cup never reached any great heights. Still, the Argentinian helped deliver the title for Mexico.

The hosts dominated long periods without capitalising and they were made to pay. Pulisic and Altidore missed good chances and Morris had another cleared off the line, while Mexico saw their period of dominance capped off with Dos Santos’ winner.

USA are looking ahead to the CONCACAF Nations League in October, while Mexico will face Argentina in a friendly in September. </s> Paul Arriola of the United States fouls Luis Rodriguez of Mexico in the first half Sunday in Chicago. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

CHICAGO — Long before it started, Sunday’s match against Mexico already carried weight for the U.S. men’s national soccer team thanks to the opponent: the Americans’ southern rival and a regional power. Then toss in these stakes: One team would end the night celebrating with the Concacaf Gold Cup trophy.

The teams had met five previous times in the Gold Cup final, but this year’s edition held additional value: The Americans had a chance to reestablish confidence in a program still haunted by its failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

U.S. Coach Gregg Berhalter singled out July 7 as the all-important date when the team started training camp in May. This was the night the Americans would work toward together. But when the Gold Cup final arrived, the U.S. team couldn’t top tournament-favorite Mexico in a 1-0 loss at Soldier Field.

The Americans had early chances, but Mexico looked like the more dangerous team in the second half. It finally broke through in the 73rd minute when Jonathan dos Santos scored off a back-heel pass from Raul Jimenez, prompting fountains of beer to fly upward in the pro-Mexico crowd. The ball barely hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

“Over the course of 90 minutes, Mexico was the better team,” Berhalter said. “Having said that, we started the game really bright. We came out, created some really good chances.”

Thousands of Mexican supporters flocked to Soldier Field hours in advance, greeting the U.S. team with boos and filling the stadium with Mexican flags as kickoff approached.

But for the Americans, the past month has been about development as much as a journey to the final. Berhalter has only led the program since December, and players have had to learn new roles. The first half, striker Jozy Altidore said, “showed the ideas that Gregg has, the ideas of the players being brave and wanting to play this style.” And that’s tangible progress.

The Americans created scoring opportunities early — one of the positive trends through the tournament, Berhalter said — but the United States never capitalized. Christian Pulisic had an early attempt saved by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Soon after, Altidore sent the ball just to the right of the post.

When Mexico’s defensive miscommunication in the 31st minute caught Ochoa away from the net, Paul Arriola’s shot rolled just outside the left post. Early in the second half, Jordan Morris tried to head in the ball from close range off a corner kick, but Mexico’s Andres Guardado blocked the shot on the goal line.

“Obviously everyone’s disappointed,” Morris said. “... It’s a game we felt like we could have won, had some clear-cut chances.”

The game started to swing into Mexico’s control in the second half. The U.S. team struggled in midfield against El Tri, and after the break, Berhalter saw his players rushing their attacks, draining their energy by playing more of a vertical game.

After falling behind, the Americans had a couple of late chances off corner kicks, but Mexico’s defense managed to keep the ball out of the net.

In a hostile environment with a raucous crowd that favored Mexico, Berhalter said his group lacked poise and composure, while “Mexico certainly had it.” But now the younger players have this experience, something to build on heading into this new World Cup cycle.

Even though the United States arrived in Chicago after an encouraging performance against Jamaica in the semifinal, the team still hadn’t been tested quite like this.

“That’s what’s hard about these tournaments,” Altidore said. “You play games that kind of aren’t up to scruff until the final. The final is a huge step — faster game, just way more intense than some of the group-stage games. In that regard, it was tough but it was a good measuring stick of where we’re trying to go.”

Each game added a new layer of judgment about this team: How well have the players learned their roles in Berhalter’s system? And how well will it work? Some games have showed promise. Other moments have illuminated concerns.

The U.S. team only conceded two goals through six games. The semifinal win showcased bursts of cohesion. But against Mexico, the Americans’ toughest challenger since Berhalter took over in December, the U.S. squad couldn’t rise to the level of its rival. There’s still solace in the progress, the learning and the experience.

“I think it’s a step forward,” Altidore said. “If you look at the final here today and how we started the game, I think was terrific. I’ve been on this team a long time. To see that initiative, to see the guys eager to play forward and play out of pressure and keep the ball in a game like this, this is progress in my opinion.”

The Gold Cup final could have been even more: a confidence-building night in this new era of U.S. men’s soccer. Instead, the team exits with a mix of performances that suggested improvement but ultimately a final night in Chicago that left it off the top tier of men’s soccer in the region.

“When you talk about a step the team needs to take, we’re close," Berhalter said. "We’re close. But we weren’t there tonight.”

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The U.S. women’s national team is fearless. It showed again in a win against England. </s> Haiti midfielder Steeven Saba and Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado (18) fight for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match, Tuesday, July 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Mexico played with flair, dominated the ball, dodged a few counters by Haiti.

El Tri played a complete game except for one area: Finishing.

Unable to score on multiple golden opportunities, Mexico needed Raul Jimenez’s goal on a penalty kick in the 93rd minute to end Haiti’s impressive Gold Cup run in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night.

“We are very happy with the players’ effort,” Mexico assistant coach Jorge Theiler said through a translator. “Mexico is going to the finals and that’s what matters.”

Mexico dominated possession, yet could not find a way to put the finishing touches in Haiti’s end, allowing Les Grenadiers to hang around and build confidence while playing to a scoreless tie in regulation.

Jimenez was awarded a penalty kick early in the extra time after Herve Bazile took him down at the edge of the penalty box. Jimenez slow-played the penalty kick, slipping it behind Jhony Placide after the Haitian goalie dove to his right to bring the crowd to its feet.

El Tri moves on to face defending champion United States or Jamaica in Sunday’s final at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

“We just kept doing what we were doing and we showed a lot of character,” Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo said. “There have been games where we could do a lot of what we wanted and others where we couldn’t. That’s how these tournaments go. We did what we had to do.”

Haiti had several good chances on counters after absorbing Mexico’s pressure, yet couldn’t get a ball into the net in its first Gold Cup semifinals.

Les Grenadiers had a final chance to tie in the 119th minute, but Mikeal Gabriel Cantave’s shot hit the crossbar and popped straight up in the air to Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa.

“We knew Mexico would probably dominate the possession,” Haiti coach Marc Collat said through a translator. “We wanted to keep it tied as long as we could and take advantage of our opportunities, but unfortunately we could not take advantage.”

Mexico, a seven-time Gold Cup champion, arrived in the desert as an overwhelming favorite against the young, confident Haitian side.

Ranked No. 101 in the world, Haiti did not bow under the pressure of playing in its first Gold Cup semifinal or facing mighty Mexico in front of 64,000 fans who made it feel like a home match for El Tri.

Haiti beat Canada in the semifinals for its biggest win since qualifying for the 1974 World Cup and did not back down from Mexico, withstanding El Tri’s constant pressure and counterattacking when the opportunity arose.

With manager Gerardo Martino watching from a suite above — he was suspended after picking up two yellow cards — Mexico struggled to finish in the first half despite numerous chances. Placide also made a diving save on Jimenez’s header late in the half to keep Les Grenadiers tied at halftime.

Placide made another spectacular save in the 67th minute, leaping to knock away Andres Guardado’s free kick from just outside the penalty box, and Mexico continued to watch quality scoring opportunities come up empty.

“It’s what we do, we fight,” Haiti defender Andrew Jean Baptiste said.

Haiti failed in three previous attempts to get past the Gold Cup quarterfinals, including a loss to Mexico in 2009.

Les Grenadiers, with their mix-and-match of young players born in countries across the globe, overcame language barriers — they speak everything from Creole to Portuguese — to make a monumental breakthrough to inspire a country that still hasn’t fully recovered from a massive earthquake in 2011.

Haiti won its group with a surprising comeback win over Costa Rica and rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to beat Canada 3-2 to reach its first Gold Cup semifinals.

Haiti’s confidence carried into its game against El Tri.

Mexico, which beat Costa Rica on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals, used its crisp-passing control game to pressure Haiti throughout the first half. But Les Grenadiers played a countering, direct-attack game to create a few chances of their own.

With Mexico unable to finish, Haiti seemed to build more confidence the longer the game remained tied.

Les Grenadiers fought to a scoreless tie in regulation, but their dream run ended with a penalty kick and a hit crossbar in extra time.

“We left it all on the field,” Baptiste said. “Guys could barely walk off the field.” </s> (Reuters) - Mexico's Jonathan dos Santos scored in the 73rd minute to give his side a 1-0 win over the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Sunday.

The victory over the defending champions in Chicago earned Mexico a record-extending eighth title at the biennial tournament, which crowns the continental champions of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Mexico took control midway through the second half and got their goal when Dos Santos received a back-heel pass from Raul Jimenez and fired home off the underside of the bar.

The United States had a series of corners late in the game and in the 87th minute one delivery caused havoc in the Mexico box but Hector Moreno made a big block with his face to preserve their lead.

The hosts threw everyone forward in the two minutes of stoppage time but Mexico held firm to reclaim the title they last won in 2015.

The game got off to a frenetic start and it was the United States who had the better chances early on while Mexico, who entered the tournament as favorites, looked shaky at the back as they weathered the early storm.

Christian Pulisic nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he used his speed to break in alone after a smart through ball from Jozy Altidore but was denied by a brilliant save from Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Moments later Tim Ream found Altidore with a ball over the top and the striker, with only Ochoa to beat, put his left-footed effort wide.

Mexico's best chance of the half came in the 16th minute when Andres Guardado looked ready to tap home a cross from the left only for Paul Arriola to arrive out of nowhere and put him off at the last second.

Tempers flared after the break when Moreno pushed Altidore over and then dropped onto his back. American Weston McKennie quickly jumped in and several players converged but no cards were issued.

A U.S. corner in the 51st minute saw Jordan Morris power a header on target but Guardado headed the ball off the line. McKennie's follow-up shot was then blocked by a sea of bodies and while the Americans claimed handball the referee waved away the appeals.

Mexico suddenly moved up a gear and after creating a number of chances Dos Santos finally broke the deadlock to set his side on their way to victory.
Mexico wins their eighth Gold Cup, defeating the United States 1–0 in the final match in Chicago.