U.S. players were crestfallen after another loss to Mexico, but this tournament was a down payment on the 2026 World Cup
HOUSTON – As various dignitaries ascended the hastily built stage at the center of NRG Stadium on Sunday night, several of the U.S. men's national team's young players sat, dejected. A few had heads in hands. Others simply stared up at the roof, as if that would change what had just happened.
They were likely thinking about the moments that got away, the mistakes that had consequences, the calls – right or wrong – that impacted the outcome. Mostly, they were frustrated that they were not the ones set to ascend that stage to lift the 2025 Gold Cup.
Ultimately, the U.S. fell short. One goal short, but that's why they keep score. There would be no celebration, no culture-defining storybook ending about defying the odds. This was Mexico's day and Mexico's tournament – as it had been nine times before – and El Tri's 2-1 victory before a pro-Mexico crowd was tough to swallow.
There were moments of joy along the way, of course, and plenty of them – five consecutive wins to reach the Gold Cup final, which helped erase the sting of four straight losses entering the tournament.. There were a few on Sunday, too. Yet in the end, inexperience proved the USMNT's undoing – along with an attacking, threatening Mexico side.
"I told every player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual," said Tyler Adams. "As a team, you look around the locker room and I couldn't be more proud of the guys who just got so close over these last five weeks. So many sacrifices, so much to be here spending time away from their families, their clubs. To come together as a new group and make a final? It's a positive and we'll make sure it carries forward."
There will be plenty of discussion about what this tournament meant for the USMNT, good, bad and indifferent. There will be an attempt to contextualize an odd summer, one that both prepared the U.S. for 2026 and – with player absences galore – didn't. Still, there are no feel-good runners-up. In the end, all the U.S. could do was look up in frustration, realizing they had wasted an early goal and ultimately fell short.
As Mexico lifted the trophy with pyrotechnics exploding and raucous Mexico fans screaming, the U.S. players walked off. Only a few bothered to look back. It's onto the next, particularly with a World Cup a year away. But for those who grinded through this summer, Sunday's defeat will sting for some time.
"I think everyone grieves differently, but I think some people – and I know myself personally it hurt – but maybe it's something that needed to happen," Chris Richards said. "You take it on the chin and you keep pushing forward. And I promise you we won't lose anymore finals against Mexico. I threw my medal away. There's no point in having a silver medal. I think, as a nation, we strive for greatness. And I think, as individuals, we do, too. So, going forward, that's what we're going to do."
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from NRG Stadium.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Mexico's attack
The narrative all summer long was that the USMNT's best players were not on the roster. Mexico's, meanwhile, were here, and they stood up to be counted on when it mattered most.
Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez, the two best players in this Mexico team, scored the two goals in the final, leading El Tri to their sixth victory over the USMNT in their nation's eight Gold Cup finals . In the end, Mexico simply had too much quality, particularly at the top ends of their roster.
Jimenez's goal in particular was a moment of pure quality. Played in by Marcel Ruiz, Jimenez made no mistake, rifling a shot that left Matt Freese with zero hope of getting a hand to it. It's the type of finish you expect from a top-end striker, one that the U.S. generally lacked all tournament long.
Alvarez's goal, meanwhile, was an opportunistic one, a case of right place at the right time. Those places, though are usually occupied by those savvy enough to find them. Alvarez is that type of player.
Jimenez, criminally underrated, is probably the best striker in CONCAC. Alvarez, meanwhile, is likely the region's best midfielder. Add that together and what do you get? A Gold Cup trophy.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: Patrick Agyemang
All tournament long, Patrick Agyemang was asked to do one thing: hold the ball. There were no natural wingers to stretch the field and, often, very few players anywhere near him in the attack. At times, he did more than many would give him credit for in tough circumstances.
Sunday, though, was different. Facing off with a veteran Mexico defense, Agyemang could never get any rhythm, leaving the USMNT without their only real presence on top. Not all of that is his fault, of course. Agyemang had a thankless job, one that didn’t give him many chances to get onto the end of chances.
Against less talented CONCACAF opponents, he did fine. Mexico aren’t that. The striker was totally controlled by El Tri's defense and, coincidentally, in the few moments he wasn’t, the USMNT created chances.
Those moments didn’t come nearly often enough, as the USMNT’s only outlet spent most of the match swarmed from all sides.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Chris Richards
Chris Richards spoke to GOALthis week about being a leader and, perhaps more importantly, being a “monster." He was both on Sunday and, despite the defeat, Richards was clearly among the best players on the field no matter the shirt.
His early goal was massive. It was exactly the type of start the USMNT would have dreamed of, and it came from a player who has grown enormously as a leader within this group, on and off the field. Defensively, Richards was a rock as always, constantly swatting away everything that was thrown his way.
"Chris Richards has stepped up in more of a vocal role in terms of leading," Tim Ream said. "He's making sure guys are doing the right things and making sure guys are in the right positions…It's something that gives all of us a good foundation. Moving forward, that can help anyone who comes into camp from here on out."
It was the performance of a CB1, which Richards quite clearly is, particularly after this tournament.
"Every camp I come into from now on is a stepping stone to keep working, keep playing like I have," Richards said. "It's a proud moment to make it to the final when a lot of people wrote us off and, sadly, we come up a little bit short. I hope this tournament has made everybody proud and, next year, I know everyone will be proud of us."
Getty ImagesLOSER: Alex Freeman
By and large, Alex Freeman played mistake-free soccer through this tournament. An attacking fullback by trade, Freeman had shown defensive chops, focusing on the basics to solidify his place as the right-back this summer.
In the Gold Cup final, his inexperience revealed itself. Two moments led to two goals, showing Freeman and everyone else just how fine the margins are in decisive games.
Leading up to Mexico’s first, Freeman was caught in no-man's land as the ball was thrown in. Adams ran to defend one man and Freeman scrambled to get the other. But he was too late. Jimenez brushed right on by him before firing a shot right into the roof.
For the second, Freeman was culpable, although it is admittedly harsh. He was the one who held Alvarez onside leading up to the goal. Again, fine margins, but crucial ones nonetheless.
Freeman, by all accounts, is one of the USMNT players who should leave this tournament with his head held highest. He exceeded every expectation, getting his first caps just months after establishing himself as an MLS player. The 21-year-old defender will be better having had this experience, even if the final outcome wasn't what he hoped for.
