Mexico defeat USA 1-0 to win record eighth Gold Cup

Mexico has won the Gold Cup to confirm their status as CONCACAF’s leading nation with a second-half goal from Jonathan dos Santos enough to see off the challenge of the United States. The victory over the hosts and defending champions in Chicago earned Mexico a record-extending eighth title at the tournament, which crowns the continental champions of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Despite missing their top three forwards, El Tri dominated possession against an American team playing its first major competition under new coach Gregg Berhalter.

Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ 20-year-old star midfielder was by far their best player against Mexico. Jordan Morris beat goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with a six-yard header from Pulisic’s corner in the 51st minute only for Andres Guardado to head the ball off the goal line and to safety. Cristian Roldan had a chance to level the score in the 87th minute but his point-blank shot hit Hector Moreno on the head and bounced away.

Mexican fans in green, white and red in the crowd of 62,493 made Chicago’s Solider Field seem like Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. Mexico scored in the 75th minute on a move started by Dos Santos. Rodolfo Pizarro crossed the ball into the penalty area for Raul Jimenez to play in Dos Santos with a backheel pass. The midfielder’s left-footed shot went in off the underside of the crossbar for just his third goal in 46 international appearances. The US has been rebuilding under Berhalter after they missed out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Mexico was playing in their first tournament under coach Gerardo Martino, who was appointed in January and has not lost a competitive match to the US since 2013.