Mexico Defeats USMNT 2-1 in Gold Cup Final Houston

The U.S. Men's National Team lost to Mexico 2-1 in the 2025 Gold Cup Final held at NRG Stadium in Houston, with Mexico defending their title and securing their 13th Gold Cup win. The U.S. took an early lead via Chris Richards, but Mexico came back with goals from Raúl Jiménez and Edson Álvarez, the latter confirmed after a VAR review. The match was highly contentious, as fans and commentators criticized refereeing decisions, particularly a non-call on a handball in the penalty area, which many believe cost the USMNT the match. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. team struggled to maintain possession and failed to meet expectations for an attacking and aesthetic style of play, drawing disappointment from supporters. Despite the loss, the USMNT, missing key players like Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, looks ahead to the World Cup with hopes of improvement. The game also carried emotional weight with Jiménez dedicating his goal to the late Diogo Jota, highlighting the human side of the sporting event.