LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Mexico DF Hector Moreno has enjoyed many successes in his career, and ranking among his most decorated achievements is being a two-time winner of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

The 33-year-old center back was a key member of the Mexico teams that took home the 2011 and 2019 Gold Cup titles, and now Moreno is a win away from a third should El Tricolor top the United States in the 2021 Final on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Needless to say, it would be significant for Moreno to add a third Gold Cup to his personal resume.

“It means a lot to win the Gold Cup. It means that you are affirming that you are the best team in the region. It allows you to wear that shield on your chest so that when you play friendlies against European teams and other confederations, they understand that they are playing against the Concacaf champion,” said Moreno in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.

“It generates prestige. It generates respect and obviously the most important thing is that the team continues growing and fighting going into World Cup qualifying,” added Moreno.

Both of Moreno’s Gold Cup conquests also came against the U.S., which serves as an auspicious sign for El Tricolor going into Sunday’s encounter.

For the Monterrey man, there is nothing quite like winning a Gold Cup against your country’s biggest rival. Plus, there is an extra push of motivation following last June’s Concacaf Nations League final defeat to the U.S.

“It’s incredible. It’s something very difficult to describe, because the two I’ve been lucky enough to play in and win have been against the United States in the United States, but with Mexico as the home team with something like 80 percent Mexico fans. I don’t know how it will be tomorrow in Las Vegas, but I’m sure no matter what, there will be a lot of Mexico fans.

“It’s something indescribable to play as the visiting team in theory, but in reality, the home team. It’s marvelous. It is the Concacaf classic. We lost the last game against them, so obviously we are eager to win and show that we are a very good team,” concluded Moreno.