MIAMI, Florida – The site for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Final has been announced, with the tournament’s biggest game returning to the city of Los Angeles, and for the first time at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles has been the host of six previous Gold Cup Finals and there have been a number of special moments that have taken place in those games. Here is a look back at some of the biggest moments in the history of Gold Cup Finals played in the City of Angels.
1991, United States-Honduras
The first Gold Cup Final was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum between the United States and Honduras and produced a penalty shootout for the ages. Following a 0-0 draw between the two teams, matters had to be settled from the penalty spot. There were twists and turns throughout, with Honduras having several difference chances to claim the trophy with a conversion. However, in the end, the hero would be U.S. GK Tony Meola, who made three saves to help secure a 4-3 win after eight rounds of penalties.
U.S. GK Tony Meola, who made three saves to help secure a 4-3 win after eight rounds of penalties.
1998, Mexico-United States
For the first time, the U.S. and Mexico squared off in a Gold Cup Final on U.S. soil in 1998 at the Memorial Coliseum. It was a stalemate through the first half until the final moments when Luis Hernandez, who finished the tournament as the joint-top scorer with four goals, flashed toward the near post to meet a cross from Salvador Carmona from the right wing and turned a header into net to deliver Mexico a 1-0 lead they were able to hold until the final whistle.
Luis Matador Hernandez of Mexico celebrate after scoring against the USA.
2000, Canada-Colombia
In what remains the only Gold Cup in which neither Mexico nor the U.S. have won, Canada emerged as winners in the 2000 edition with a 2-0 victory over guests Colombia in the Final at the Memorial Coliseum. It had already been a dream run for the Canadians in the tournament, and the Final served as the exclamation point. Jason De Vos gave Canada a 1-0 lead right before halftime when he squeezed in a header off a corner kick. Carlos Corazzin then doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 68’ via the penalty spot, putting the Canadians in control. As he had been throughout the tournament, GK Craig Forrest was the hero on the day, making a slew of saves, including a stop on a Faustino Asprilla penalty in the 84’ to secure Canada their first Gold Cup title.
2002, United States-Costa Rica
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena was the location for the 2002 Final in which the U.S. squared off against a Costa Rica side playing in their first Gold Cup Final. After exchanging early scoring chances, the U.S. grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 37’ on a composed left-footed finish from Josh Wolff. The hosts would then double the advantage in grand style in the 63’ through Jeff Agoos, who’s exquisitely taken free kick curled into the top right corner of net to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead they would not surrender.
2011, United States-Mexico
A jam-packed Rose Bowl with 93,420 spectators in attendance watched as rivals Mexico and the U.S. engaged in a classic Gold Cup Final. The U.S. came roaring out of the gates and took an early 2-0 lead through goals from Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan. Pablo Barrera would spearhead the Mexico comeback, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with a right-footed finish before Andres Guardado stabbed home a loose ball to even things at 2-2 going into halftime. Barrera notched his second of the night early in the second stanza on an excellent right-footed shot to hand Mexico a 3-2 lead, setting the stage for the moment of the night. It came in the 76’ off the foot of Giovani dos Santos, who received the ball in the U.S. area, danced around to avoid GK Tim Howard before floating a perfectly-placed chip over the U.S. defense and into goal to complete what is largely considered the greatest Gold Cup goal ever.
