The latest installment of the USA-Mexico rivalry makes its first trip to Las Vegas, with the two adversaries set to play for their second trophy of the summer.
The U.S. men’s national team takes on Mexico in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup final (9 p.m. ET, FS1), a month after the Americans defeated El Tri in the Nations League final. Gregg Berhalter has brought an experimental squad through the Gold Cup, with several new faces blossoming to take the USMNT to the final.
The Americans will face a strong El Tri side with many of the same players who competed in Nations League, with a total of seven starters in the Gold Cup final who also started against the USMNT in the Nations League final.
Here is the USMNT starting lineup for tonight’s final, with George Bello starting in place of Sam Vines, Gyasi Zardes stepping in at striker and Eryk Williamson getting the nod ahead of Cristian Roldan and Gianluca Busio.
SBI’s editorial staff will be providing updates and analysis throughout the match in the comments section below, so feel free to follow the action there. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts, opinions and questions as well.
Enjoy the action.
Arriolla’s misses are truly something to behold.
Why he’s still in, and not Nico? Only GB knows
Talavera does well to get across and block Arriola’s chance from close range. U.S. would’ve had the breakthrough there. 75′
that is a fliipin red card. Herrera, what prick. Williamson with another knock to the head, with Herrer’s boot. Ref absolutely sucking out there
Herrera sees yellow for catching Williamson in the head on an aerial challenge. 73′
Hoppe def got some Clint Dempsey in him. He’s like ima shoot don’t care if you’re open. I like that
I like the killer instinct but not the ball hog hero ball, looking for the ref to bail him out.
Alvarez does extremely well to get down and block Hoppe’s chance from close range. That might’ve been going in. 72′
Hoppe with a good effort, but Mexico cleared it out. Need to get the Schalke man in the match more.
Rodriguez takes out Arriola off the ball…did he get carded? I missed it if he did.
There’s to many US players standing around, let’s be proactive team!! Glad these subs are coming in. Let’s see if El Tri’s back line can hold up
Arriola down after Luis Rodriguez takes him out of the play. Also, Shaq Moore and Sam Vines coming on for Reggie Cannon and George Bello respectively.
Sands needs to settle down, 3 turnovers this half
What is up with all these headers back to El Tri?
Zardes was onside there. We need another finisher on the pitch. (Arriola is NOT a finisher.)
Zardes misses on a breakaway, but the play was whistled for offsides after the miss.
Hoppe’s got a ruthless streak about him. If he gets the ball with even half a sight of goal, he’s goin’ for it.
so obviously off Pineda for a goal kick yet he acts like he got robbed lol
Dangerous look for Mexico, but Pineda sends it wide of the mark. He rushed that one and needed to force Turner to make a save.
Still 0-0, 52nd minute
Really liked what we saw from Bello in the first half. He’s been up for the challenge. Can he do it for the full 90+?
Ok, people way too hard on Arriola. He’s never been a good finisher, but he’s making runs and putting pressure on the defense. Obviously our first team has better finishers, but he’s making Mexico sweat by finding space and attacking goal. The game is tied at halftime against a strong Mexican squad and a pro Mexico crowd. Call me satisfied at halftime…
I respectfully disagree. He’s been subpar the entire tournament: losing possession, poor passing and finishing. Too many other wingers and right mids ahead of him in the pecking order.
Arriola couldn’t finish at the bunny ranch with a fistful of $100’s
Gio2 probably would have at least 1 shot on goal had he started for Arriola.
not a bad half for the US imo. Doing whatever it takes, playing and working very hard, looking for the counter and getting some looks out of it while Mexico’s attack has a lot of bodies in front of them if they don’t go quickly. US won a ton of balls in their own box, and Turner has been the poop, again. Can Dike get a breakaway goal maybe?
Lots of complaints but I was pretty happy with that half. It is still 0-0 and US has had some chances. Mexico has better players collectively on the field but this is still a game.
agree
Arriola strikes again, damn!!
I was momentarily excited but when I saw who it was, I was pretty sure how it was going to end. Although, I will say the result was worse than I expected. He is worked to defend though. Lookin’ for the positives …
Roldan or Busio for Arriola?
Literally anyone else for Arriola?
Those two chances are what US typically gets and puts away when they’re playing undermatched vs Mexico….
I’m not the type to pile on, but if Roldan had started in place of Arriola, he would have had his first USMNT goal tonight.
49 minute, we just had 10 in the box and Gyasi just outside the area! geez
HECK of a pass by Eryk Williamson to spring Arriola on the break, but he sends a speculative shot wide of the mark.
And that’s the halftime whistle.
0-0 in Las Vegas.
Speculative is one to describe it. Doh!!
just check out the video…it don’t lie. 11 in the box and in the defensive 3rd. It has happened more than once. truth
and I NEVER said they were bunkering, that is your word…come on man
Hector Moreno is down and looks like he will be replaced by Carlos Salcido. Big loss for El Tri if he’s forced out, Moreno’s leadership is key to Mexico’s back-line.
0-0, 43rd minute.
that’s 5 times now we win the ball in midfield and the whistle blows…5
Hoppe with a half-chance off a corner but can’t get it on frame. A bit better from the USMNT on that set piece, we have seen set pieces be a bit of a weak spot for the USMNT in the Gold Cup, not getting nearly enough from them.
US defending with all 11 in the defensive 3rd, even with all 11 in the box
Now you’re just making stuff up.
They’re pressing well, but credit Mexico with sharp passing and movement.
If the USMNT were bunkering, Mexico would have even more chances so far.
Alas, it’s 0-0, 38th minute
no I’m not, yes we’re pressing, and then at times we have 11 in the box Ives, more than once. I don’t make things up man
just look at the video, I just did with this delay. I don’t make things up
Nice turn by Funes Mori to free himself on goal, but he can’t find an angle and has his shot blocked by Turner.
Funes Mori has been very active through the first 30 minutes. He’s up for this one.
0-0, 33rd minute
Arrio-OH-la…..
Dude… come on
Par for the course for Arriola
GB dropping the F bomb on his team…”Let’s effing go!” Hello
Arriola strikes the right post on the break. A golden chance to USMNT there to take lead. 26′
what a miss, terrible
Ariola had not justified a place on the qualifying roster, or even to start this match. He HAS to score there, and he’s constantly giving the ball away.
Arriola switched over to left side, let’s see if that helps him
nope, back on the right and turns it over immediately
Arriola starting out like he’s left off, losing literally every ball played to him. Must be better
Looks like Cristian Roldan is ready to come on for Williamson is needed.
Not good here for USMNT as Williamson is down and in pain after taking a cross to the back of his head.
SAVE Matt Turner!! Dives to his right to deny a dangerous Funes More header that was heading in. USMNT need to defender that set piece better than that.
0-0, 12th minute
A cross goes right into Bello’s arm, which wasn’t outstretched and goes out for a corner. Mexico wants a penalty.
USMNT passing around with ease at times, but then Mexico fights back to win possession. Might see a lot of flip-flopping going on tonight.
Great tackle from Acosta to win possession back for USMNT after Mexico lead a 3-on-3 attack.
Matt Turner nearly gives up an early penalty, but no call is made. Turner got caught in possession in the second minute.
USMNT comes right down and creates a great look for Williamson, but he can’t make good contact and the chance is wasted.
0-0, 5th minute
Game is UNDER WAY! The sold-out stadium is ROCKING, and as expected, a heavily pro-Mexico crowd. Probably 85-15 in favor of Mexico.
I like the lineup, but question Bello. Is he ready for this moment?
Let’s go USA!