U.S. men's national soccer team defeats Mexico in Concacaf Gold Cup final, collects second trophy in two months

Jim Reineking, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Miles Robinson's extra-time goal in the 117th minute lifted the United States men's national soccer team to a thrilling 1-0 win over Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup final in front of an overwhelmingly pro-El Tri crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The victory marked the second time in two months that the USMNT defeated their rivals in a continental tournament, after prevailing in extra time in the Concacaf Nations League final on June 6.

Kellyn Acosta delivered the deep free kick into the 18-yard box, where Robinson headed home the winning goal.

The Gold Cup final was the fifth game in the tournament that the USMNT won by a 1-0 scoreline, including all three knockout stage games. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who plays professionally for the New England Revolution of MLS, started in goal for the U.S. the entire tournament and earned clean sheets in all five of those games.

The USMNT has won nine consecutive games overall and 14 home games in a row.

This is the seventh time that the U.S. has won the Concacaf Gold Cup, with the last win coming in 2017 when it faced Jamaica in the final. The USMNT had only defeated Mexico once previously in a Gold Cup final, with that win coming in 2007 when Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber scored goals in a 2-1 win at Soldier Field.

The USMNT celebrates after defeating Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup final.
The USMNT celebrates after defeating Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup final.

With the USMNT's premier players taking part in preseasons for their upcoming European club team seasons, coach Gregg Berhalter relied heavily on players from Major League Soccer. Of the 23 players on the Gold Cup roster, 19 represented MLS clubs. Berhalter's starting lineup Sunday included nine MLS players.

The USMNT's European-based players will return when the team opens World Cup qualifying at El Salvador on Sept. 2.

For Mexico, the Gold Cup final defeat will bring up questions about the future of coach Tata Martino, who was hired in January 2019 after leading Atlanta United to victory in the 2018 MLS Cup. But two defeats this summer against its biggest regional rival in tournament finals will cast doubts about Martino's status as Mexico's coach.

Mexico also opens World Cup qualifying on Sept. 2, playing Jamaica at home.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT wins Concacaf Gold Cup, defeats Mexico in final