LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Long-time rivals the United States and Mexico will once again battle for Concacaf glory when they meet in the 2021 Gold Cup Final on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It will mark the eighth Gold Cup match-up between the two nations and the seventh time they will have met in the Final. In the previous seven encounters, Mexico have pocketed five victories while the U.S. have two, including the lone semifinal contest, coming in the inaugural edition in 1991.
It is also the second straight Gold Cup Final between the two sides, with Mexico winning the 2019 Final 1-0 in Chicago.
Overall, it will be the 72nd match between the U.S. and Mexico, the last coming in June in the Final of the Concacaf Nations League Finals when the U.S. won a memorable 3-2 affair in extra time.
Both teams arrived into Sunday’s Final on the strength of dramatic semifinal victories. The U.S. scored in the 86’ to defeat Qatar 1-0, while Mexico got a goal in the 90+9’ to edge Canada, 2-1.
The play of each team’s defense has been noteworthy, with just one goal allowed in their respective five matches.
The U.S. have also enjoyed contributions from players across the board, with FWs Matthew Hoppe and Gyasi Zardes supplying game-winning goals in the knockout rounds, while Mexico have received top performances from their attacking players like Rogelio Funes Mori and Orbelin Pineda, who each have three goals in the tournament.
For the U.S. to win their seventh Gold Cup title, they will need to clamp down on MF Hector Herrera and prevent Funes Mori, Pineda and FW Jesus Corona from getting good looks in front of goal.
Meanwhile, eight-time Gold Cup winners Mexico can expect a stiff test from a U.S. attacking force that has managed to wear down opponents with key late goals.
Those storylines and more should make for yet another Concacaf classic between these two decorated sides.
