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USA vs. Mexico player ratings: Score, result, highlights as USMNT falls in 2025 Gold Cup final

Mexico have won back-to-back CONCACAF Gold Cup titles as they top the United States by a 2-1 score, securing the crown on a second half goal by Edson Alvarez.

The U.S. took an early lead through Chris Richards on a set piece, but Mexico took control of the match and overwhelmed the USMNT from that point on.

It was a strong fight by the United States, but they lacked in quality throughout the match. Mauricio Pochettino’s side couldn’t gain a foothold in the match, and were poor in possession as they struggled to deal with the Mexico press.

Raul Jimenez was the man to equalize for Mexico in the 27th minute, leveling the match just before the half-hour mark. It took them until Alvarez’s opportunity to go in front with 13 minutes to go, and locked it down from there.

The Sporting News followed the USA vs. Mexico match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.

JUMP TO: Goals, highlights, updates | Player ratings | Full match stats |  Team news and lineups

USA vs. Mexico final score

  Score Goal scorers
USA 1 Richards (4′)
Mexico 2 Jimenez (27′),
E. Alvarez (77′)

Location: NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Referee: Mario Escobar (GUA)

Starting lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 25. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 18. Arfsten (Tolkin, 86′) — 4. Adams (McGlynn, 82′), 14. de la Torre (Downs, 69′) — 8. Berhalter, 17. Tillman, 10. Luna (B. Aaronson, 86′) — 24. Agyemang.

Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Malagon (GK) — 3. J. Sanchez (Reyes, 86′), 3. Montes, 5. Vasquez, 23. Gallardo — 14. Ruiz, 4. Alvarez, 7. Mora (Pineda, 75′) — 25. Alvarado (Huerta, 86′), 9. Jimenez (Gimenez, 86′), 10. Vega.

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USA vs. Mexico stats

USA Stat Mexico
6 Shots 16
3 Shots on target 8
0.64 Expected goals 1.26
40% Possession 60%
282 Accurate passes 441
0 Corners 12
12 Fouls 11
1 Yellow cards 2

USA vs. Mexico goals, highlights from 2025 Gold Cup final

FULLTIME: USA 1-2 Mexico

Mexico wins the Gold Cup title! The United States fought hard in a physical battle, but couldn’t come up with the goods. After Chris Richards’ early goal, they were toothless in the attack and allowed Mexico to pressure them heavily, which was always going to result in a flurry of chances.

Mexico are deserved champions!

85th min: Both teams make a host of substitutions. Israel Reyes, Santiago Gimenez, and Cesar Huerta come on for Mexico, while John Tolkin and Brenden Aaronson enter for the United States.

Through it all, Raul Jimenez is booked for time wasting as he takes way too long to come off the field.

77th min: GOAL! MEXICO! EDSON ALVAREZ PUTS MEXICO IN FRONT! His header is initially ruled offside, but on VAR review it’s given!!!

After Diego Luna is called for a foul, the set-piece is swung in and met at the near post for a flick-on to Alvarez flying in to finish. Alex Freeman kept him onside.

69th min: The first substitution of the match sees Damion Downs come on for Luca de la Torre, which changed the U.S. shape. Downs slotted into Malik Tillman’s spot at the No. 10. Tillman goes out wide right and Sebastian Berhalter slides into midfield.

63rd min: Tyler Adams gets booked for a really odd decision to come flying way up the field and bulldoze a Mexico player off the ball. He starts jawing and looks to be a bit frustrated. If he’s trying to light a fire under his teammates, that was an odd way to go about it.

54th min: Chance, USA! Max Arfsten just misses with a shot that sails just high and wide, not missing the top corner by much! He cuts in on his right and has a go from a good distance out, but it’s a low percentage effort in the end.

51st min: Chance, Mexico! Roberto Alvarado fires wide! The Mexico winger got forward as Max Arfsten got caught up high, and with Tim Ream challenging, he rips his shot across the face of goal and just wide of the post!

2nd half kickoff: They’re back under way for the second half of the 2025 Gold Cup final, with no changes for either side! How will the U.S. look to regain control of the possessional battle after Mexico dominated the first half?

HALFTIME: USA 1-1 Mexico

Mexico completely dominated the central part of the opening 45 minutes, holding nearly 65% possession, but the U.S. are level at the break thanks to strong start and finish to the half.

The U.S. largely survived the long stretch of Mexico possession, and saw El Tri fade slightly as the half came to a close after they expended a significant amount of energy pressing extremely high. The U.S. can look to take advantage of that out of the break if Mexico continue at mach three, but they also need to remain vigilant if Mexico continue trying to overwhelm them.

45+1 min: Chance, USA! ALEX FREEMAN COMES SO CLOSE TO SCORING! A long ball forward bounces in front of the USMNT right-back, and he gets to the ball and heads it on net. Luis Malagon is unable to make the save how he wants to, but it comes off his face and stays out!! Then Diego Luna on the recycle sends his effort blazing over the crossbar!

44th min: Cesar Montes is the first player booked as he slices down Patrick Agyemang on the right wing as the U.S. tried to counter. He’s lucky that the incident happened out wide and not closer to goal, because otherwise that could have absolutely been deemed a last-man red card.

40th min: Chance, Mexico! 16-year-old Gilberto Mora forces a big save out of Matt Freese, who tips the centrally-placed effort over the crossbar! The ensuing corner flies over everyone’s head and out of play.

27th min: GOAL! MEXICO! Raul Jimenez levels the match for Mexico! He breaks the U.S. line with a vertical ball from Marcel Ruiz and roofs the finish, leaving Matt Freese no chance!

Jimenez broke right through the center-backs, as Chris Richards stepped up to challenge Ruiz on the ball and Tim Ream dropped behind the Fulham striker. Ream failed to block the shot, and Richards left him in a poor position.

4th min: GOAL! USA! CHRIS RICHARDS HEADS THE U.S. IN FRONT OFF A SEBASTIAN BERHALTER FREE-KICK!

Patrick Agyemang is chopped down at the top of the attacking third, and Berhalter takes the delivery from deep. It’s put on a platter from miles out, and Richards powers a killer header on frame. It slams the underside of the crossbar and shoots straight down, and the referee says the goal is good!

There’s a brief VAR check, because there is NO goal-line technology at the Gold Cup, but there’s nothing conclusive to overturn the call!

Kickoff: They’re under way in the heart of Texas! Who will take home the Gold Cup trophy, which has rotated back-and-forth between the U.S. and Mexico each of the last seven editions of the competition?

USA vs. Mexico: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: By donning the armband tonight, Tim Ream becomes the 13th different player to captain the USMNT in a final. The lack of viable options at center-back is a stark reminder of how thin the U.S. player pool still is, but Ream’s leadership remains a valuable part of this team’s makeup.

30 mins to kickoff: A number of individuals on this roster have stepped up to help the U.S. reach this point. From leaders like Chris Richards to newcomers like Matt Freese. Both have played the “hero” role at one stage, which is a necessary position to play if a team is to win a trophy. They will need another individual to step up today in some stage if they are to beat Mexico in the final.

1 hour to kickoff: The lineups are in, and Mauricio Pochettino has named an unchanged starting XI! He could have decided to withdraw the defensive porous Max Arfsten in place of John Tolkin, but kept the same individuals the same.

The surprise of the lineups is on the Mexico side, as 16-year-old Gilberto Mora starts in midfield over Erik Lira or Marcel Ruiz. He was a starter in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and has kept his place in this big match.

1 hour 30 mins to kickoff: These USMNT players may not all be the ones to compete at the FIFA World Cup next summer, but they have built a good harmony in the squad. Before the semifinal against Guatemala, Mauricio Pochettino spoke about how tightly knit they have been in this Gold Cup camp, and he’s beating that drum again ahead of the final.

USA vs. Mexico player ratings

USA starting lineup (4-2-3-1 Formation)

Goalkeeper: Matt Freese — 8

The penalty shootout hero against Costa Rica had a fantastic match against Guatemala in the semifinals, and will be called upon plenty in this Gold Cup final for sure.

Safe hands on a shot from Gilberto Mora in the 24th minute that could have caused him trouble on the bounce. Could do very little on the Mexico goal. Made an exceptional save on another Mora shot from distance, tipping it over the bar.

Did very well to block a cross in the 56th minute as Alexis Vega looked able to pick anyone out in acres of space. Had a brilliant long throw late in stoppage time with the U.S. needing a goal which created a good chance. Hardly put a foot wrong the whole match.

Right-back: Alex Freeman — 6

The son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman, Alex has maintained a steady presence this summer at a right-back position suffering from significant depth issues in the USMNT player pool.

Early on, a very safe presence defensively as he made a number of clearances in potentially dangerous situations. Couldn’t get high enough to pressure the Mexico full-backs, allowing El Tri to push higher and higher up the field. Nearly scored in first-half stoppage time but his header came off the goalkeeper’s face.

Got cooked early in the second half by Marcel Ruiz in behind him, but managed to make up for it by winning an aerial duel with Raul Jimenez on a chance to score. Played Edson Alvarez onside Was dispossessed on a hail mary chance late which was the final opportunity of the match.

Center-back: Tim Ream — 6

Now 37 years old, Ream’s ability to maintain a starting international spot speaks just as much to the lack of quality at the center-back position as it does to Ream’s effectiveness. He struggled in the first half against Guatemala but turned it around to put in a decent shift.

Ream’s distribution in the first half was important as it helped relieve pressure and build moves forward. Was most culpable for the Raul Jimenez goal as he dropped with his former Fulham teammate but failed to block the effort.

Early in the second half, had a vital header away on a good Mexico chance. While he wasn’t as much of a liability as he has been, he was overall solid amidst a heavy dose of pressure.

Center-back: Chris Richards — 7

The USMNT has benefitted greatly from Richards being available this summer, and he has been a star performer both defensively and on set pieces in front of goal. It was exactly the latter which put the U.S. in front early on with his fourth-minute goal.

Richards had a difficult moment later in the first half, however, as his step up to Marcel Ruiz allowed Raul Jimenez to slip in behind vertically and score the 27th minute equalizer. Was powerful in the air on a 68th minute corner that looked to be dangerous. Played the role of a leader again.

Left-back: Max Arfsten — 5

This entire Gold Cup has been a rollercoaster for Max Arfsten, who looks lost at times defensively but has done his best to make up for it on the offensive end.

Made an important early intervention in the third minute on a Mexico move forward. He was rarely used going forward, however, which contributed to Mexico’s overwhelming pressure. Got caught too high on a number of occasions in the second half which allowed Mexico to get in behind. Did not provide enough attacking influence to offset the defensive liability.

Midfield: Tyler Adams — 6

While Tim Ream wears the armband, Tyler Adams is the undisputed leader of this club. He has been a rock at the heart of the U.S. midfield.

Filtered the ball forward very well, feeding four passes into the final third while also shielding the back line under significant Mexico pressure. However, a lapse in concentration stepping out wide hoping to spring a trap allowed Mexico to center the ball in his vacated space on the equalizing goal for Raul Jimenez.

Got booked past the hour mark for a truly wild bout of frustration where he came flying out of midfield and pummeled an opponent, for which there was no reason to.

Midfield: Luca de la Torre — 5

With Johnny Cardoso struggling early in the summer fixtures before picking up an ankle injury, De la Torre has done well to take over in midfield and provide safe possession and some ball progression.

Won a few fouls in the first half while providing safe passing. Just 21 touches in the first half was poor, as the midfield was overwhelmed for much of the opening 45 minutes. Brought off with 20 minutes to go for Damion Downs having won all three of his ground duels but overall did not have enough of an impact on the game.

Left wing: Diego Luna — 5

With three goals this Gold Cup, Diego Luna has vaulted himself into a position of contention for a spot on next summer’s World Cup roster.

Luna struggled through much of the opening half, allowing Mexico to overwhelm the United States for much of the period. He failed to pin the Mexico full-backs in their own half, with the U.S. clearly suffering from the lack of a wide creative influence. Struggled to communicate well with Max Arfsten to remain solid defensively.

Attacking midfield: Malik Tillman — 5

Like Luna, Malik Tillman has been one of the biggest winners of the Gold Cup for the USMNT. His do-it-all skillset has translated brilliantly to Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics, providing a consistent, high-volume threat up front while also winning the ball back consistently in midfield.

His first half was punctuated by a number of giveaways that aided Mexico in their wave of possessional pressure. He struggled to find teammates with the ball and press off the ball. Ran a two-on-two breakaway in the 37th minute but botched it without creating a shot.

Looked to be struggling with an injury in the second half as he continued to be late on challenges and give the ball away. Had one bright moment in the 65th minute where he fought through a number of uncalled fouls but Max Arfsten lost it out wide. Not his best performance, but hard to criticize Tillman for a fantastic tournament in which he was beaten to a pulp.

Right wing: Sebastian Berhalter — 7

Gregg Berhalter’s son hasn’t exactly stood out much this summer, playing more of a quiet foil to Diego Luna on the opposite wing. He and Jack McGlynn have been playing a more inside midfielder/winger role meant to be more of a possessional presence than an attacking threat.

Put a sensational free-kick delivery on the head of Chris Richards for the early U.S. goal. Remained a physical presence and battled hard with Mexico who tried to bully him off the ball, but completed just nine of 14 attempted passes in the first half, a low influence on the match. Ended the game with 56 touches, ultimately one of the more influential U.S. players in multiple roles.

Striker: Patrick Agyemang — 4

A divisive figure up front, Agyemang’s involvement in the attacking buildup cannot be disputed. However, he had a tough match against Guatemala and will need to be more clinical if the U.S. is to beat its rival.

Agyemang was strong early in the tournament, but has faded significantly. He looked to have a piano on his back in this game, and while he relied on high volume prior to the final, he had little influence in the opening half and was unable to link up with teammates in the same way he had in previous Gold Cup matches. The best chance he had early in stoppage time still failed to result in a clean shot on goal.

USA substitutes

69th min: Damion Downs — 4

On his 21st birthday, entered off the bench for Luca de la Torre which moved Diego Luna into midfield. Had eight touches in 21 minutes, half of which the U.S. were fighting to get a goal back. Nowhere close to good enough.

82nd min: Jack McGlynn — 6

Did well to try and claw the U.S. back level by doing his best to progress the ball forward in a chaotic final few minutes. Probably should have come on earlier.

86th min: John Tolkin — N/A

86th min: Brenden Aaronson — N/A

USA vs. Mexico starting lineups, team news

At this point, there’s very little reason for Mauricio Pochettino to make many, if any changes to his starting lineup. The only plausible alteration that could have come to pass was bringing in John Tolkin to replace attacking-minded left-back Max Arfsten, who has struggled defensively this tournament, but he chose to name an unchanged XI.

Johnny Cardoso picked up an ankle injury and has missed the last two matches, while Haji Wright‘s Gold Cup is over due to an Achilles injury. Injured players cannot be replaced on Gold Cup rosters in this year’s edition of the competition.

The U.S. are without injured regulars Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Ricardo Pepi, and Folarin Balogun for this tournament, while Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are unavailable due to participation in the Club World Cup. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah requested to have the summer off and are not with the side.

USA starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Freese (GK) — Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten — Adams, de la Torre — Berhalter, Tillman, Luna — Agyemang.

USA subs: Turner (GK), Tolkin, Zimmerman, Harriel, McKenzie, M. Robinson, McGlynn, P. Aaronson, B. Aaronson, Sullivan, Downs, White.

Mexico lost Dynamo Moscow midfielder Luis Chavez to a torn ACL, which he suffered in training ahead of the Saudi Arabia match. It was expected that would mean Erik Lira could see more time, but instead it’s 16-year-old Gilberto Mora who starts in midfield for the third straight match.

Cesar Montes returns from his suspension for yellow card accumulation. Nobody else is at risk of suspension from here on out as the card count is wiped for the semifinal.

The biggest winner of the Gold Cup for Mexico has been winger Alexis Vega who has snatched the starting spot on the left from Orbelin Pineda. On the right, Julian Quinones, Roberto Alvarado, and Cesar Huerta have all been handed time but none have gained hold of the position.

Aguirre’s biggest call will be at striker, where he has tinkered with starting Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez together as well as selecting one or the other.

Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): Malagon (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo — Ruiz, Alvarez, Mora — Alvarado, Jimenez, Vega.

Mexico subs: Ochoa (GK), Rangel (GK), Orozco, Reyes, Chavez, Lira, Pineda, Rodriguez, Huerta, Quinones, Sepulveda, Gimenez.

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