Mexico in a tournament final after also defeating its regional rival in the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Final on June 6 with an almost entirely different squad. In winning its ninth-straight game, the USA registered its fourth-straight shutout and fifth in six Gold Cup matches, only conceding a penalty kick goal in the second group stage game vs. The archrivals entered the match having conceded just one goal each with both posting four shutouts through their first five games, and neither side budged through minutes in the championship match.
Mexico dictated play for much of the first half, but could not break through a disciplined and disruptive collective defensive effort from the U.
Anchored by goalkeeper Matt Turner and Robinson at center back, the USA defense continued to play lights out, keeping a clean sheet vs. Robinson and Turner are the only two U. The USA weathered the early pressure and had its own chance to take the lead 26 minutes in.
No changes from either side. Halftime: You've got to imagine that Gregg Berhalter is trying to use the break to figure out how to get his captain going.
Christian Pulisic is operating a little more centrally, giving the left flank to Sergino Dest, who's also been quiet. Tough to imagine the U. Halftime: A gaffe by Mark McKenzie leads to a 2nd-minute Mexico goal and it looked like El Tri had a second with Moreno's header, but it was called back for offside.
And just moments later Reyna scored. The nixed goal and the Reyna put-back proved the turning point of the first half, though Zack Steffen had to come up with a big stop just before halftime.
Big save by Steffen just before halftime. Not a scenario many would have predicted after that 1st minute goal. McKennie heads home a corner off the left post and Reyna is there at the doorstep to put it home. Poor marking leads to a Mexico corner kick and a wide open Moreno heads home a cross on the ensuing play for a goal.
But it's ruled offside after video review. USMNT seems to be gaining momentum. They've had another giveaway in their own end and Zack Steffen just kicked the ball straight out of play on a ball intended for Yedlin. He would've been in on goal. Mexican fans with the early "Ole" chants when Mexican players are knocking the ball around. He just ran him over. Referee looking to set the tone.
Both teams feeling each other out now. Wasn't the cleanest of shots. Tecatito Corona picks off Mark McKenzie's pass inside the box and he roofs the ball. Stadium is rocking. This is gonna be a fun one. ET: Time for national anthems.
Mexico and then USA. ET: More scenes from the stadium:. ET: Latest weather report from Denver:. Rain has also stopped. FYI pic. Deuce's jacket is nice pic. ET: Get a taste of the fan atmosphere at Empower Field:.
Expect Mexico to target Tim Ream in that left channel. Sergino Dest is going to need to play defense tonight. The starting lineups are out. Christian Pulisic is named U. Mexico is pushing numbers forward and creating chances, with goalkeeper Matt Turner coming up big with a few saves. But the USA is gritty and committed with its defending and the Americans are getting opportunities on the break.
Paul Arriola had the best opportunity of the half as a result of high pressing by the USA and he will be disappointed to not have done better with it. Dispara y provoca peligro, regresa y evita el contragolpe.
The ball does go off Cannon's arm while he was on the ground, but that was incidental. The Mexican forward fires another shot, but Turner stops it. The Mexican fullbacks are pushing way up the field. Funes Mori easily turns James Sands in the box and fires a shot from a tight angle off Turner's knee at the near post.
Big missed opportunity for the USA, off the outside of the right post. This time it was in a battle for the ball against Miles Robinson, who had his arms extended, but there was no push. He was just shielding the ball.
And the referee has a talk with Funes Mori about these dives. The header on the set piece is right at goalkeeper Matt Turner. Pretty sure your team needs to be in the lead before you can do that. That looked like a penalty kick that should've been awarded to Mexico. George Bello with the high arm in an unnatural position to block a Mexico cross.
The officials don't call it! USA got away with one there. Mexico wanted a handball called on this play, what do you think? As the minutes go by, the USA is seemingly dropping deeper on each attack. But that was a dive. Great no-call by the ref. USMNT pressing right out of the gates. Hoy si, ni un hueco Mexico's is first. Big, shiny trophy alert pic. In terms of fan support, this is shaping up to be about in favor of ElTriEng. I see one pocket of of usmnt support behind one of the goals. Everything else is for Mexico.
On the Mexico side, Tata Martino opted for central defender Nestor Araujo over Carlos Salcedo, probably because the latter can be prone to a mistake or red card.
The last thing Mexico wants to do is to give the USA any advantage. Dos Santos started the last two matches against Canada and Honduras. All three networks can be streamed on fuboTV free 7-day trial.
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