46′ The referee’s whistle sounds again, and this match is back underway!
It will be interesting to see how these sides will approach the second half. The United States have looked threatening in the final third, but have yet to convert which could see the introduction of Zardes or Boyd sooner rather than later. As for Mexico, Jimenez has been barely involved in play and a shift in tactics or players is likely needed to get their striker some chances today.
We mentioned in the pre-match that this would be a fairly level contest, and it’s proved to be exactly that with a 0-0 scoreline at the half. The United States started well early and could have been up two goals in the first 10 minutes after chances from Pulisic and Altidore, but neither were able to put their chances in the back of the net. Though the Yanks continued to look the more dangerous in attack, Mexico started to grow into the match but, despite multiple shots on target, they haven’t looked particularly close to scoring. El Tri were building momentum heading into the half though, so they will certainly be looking to turn the tide coming out of the break.
45′ + 3′ HALF-TIME: Mexico 0-0 United States
45′ + 2′ Pizarro keeps flexing and feeling his elbow, but it looks like he’s going to try and continue.
45′ Pizarro is down on the pitch after his elbow seemingly hyperextended. The medical staff tend to him as play stops.
43′ Pulisic dribbles around the opposing penalty area before trying to chip Ochoa which, fails to surprise the ‘keeper who catches the attempt with ease.
42′ Dos Santos hammers a swerving effort from outside the penalty area that fizzes past the near post with Steffen diving.
41′ We haven’t mentioned him much thus far because he’s largely prevented anything of note from happening, but Cannon has been fantastic for USA thus far.
39′ Antuna pushes forward up the right and then crosses attempts a cross that curls out of play for a USA goal-kick.
37′ Ream knocks away a through-ball that was aimed at Jimenez who was making a diagonal run into the penalty area.
35′ Morris fails to clear the ball and Gallardo runs onto it in the box, only for the ball to then be hammered away by Miazga. Morris got away with one there thanks to his team-mate.
33′ USA slow things down as the defenders pass the ball amongst themselves, looking for an outlet forward.
31′ CHANCE! After some miscommunication within the Mexican defence, Arriola manages to take the ball in the penalty area before dragging a shot agonisingly close to the far post! What was Ochoa doing there?
28′ Another Mexican attack stalls on the edge of the penalty area, and this one eventually ends via a handball.
26′ Antuna tries an overhead kick in the penalty area only for his effort to be immediately blocked, and then cleared by the defence.
24′ Mexico pass the ball around the USA penalty area, looking for a way through the opposing defence.
22′ Tempers flare after Rodriguez hit the ball at Pulisic who was down on the floor following a previous challenge. Altidore certainly has thoughts on the incident, but the referee does well to keep things from boiling over.
21′ McKennie grabs the ball from Antuna to slow a free-kick that Mexico had wanted to take quickly. The Yanks certainly playing the role of antagonists in the early stages here.
19′ Bradley lofts the ball to Cannon in the penalty area and the latter’s cross is knocked behind for a USA corner.
17′ A late, sliding challenge from Pulisic after he’d failed to run down the ball and, like Altidore before him, is lucky to not have been shown a card.
16′ CHANCE! Guardado cut through the United States’ defence, was found on the run in the box, and skied the ensuing attempt! Arriola did well to chase the Mexican midfielder down to put him off.
15′ Steffen, under pressure by Guardado, hits the ball out for a Mexico throw.
13′ Mexico starting to push forward a bit more now, especially up the wings.
11′ Altidore goes through the back of dos Santos and is called for the foul, though the former does somehow escape without being carded.
10′ It’s been almost all USA thus far. Can the Yanks take advantage before Mexico grow back into this match?
8′ CHANCE! Altidore somehow mises from near the penalty area! He had won a great duel with Moreno, turned the defender, lined up the shot… and then somehow pulled his shot right of goal! He almost always scores from there!
7′ CHANCE! Pulisic dribbles into the penalty area after a pass from Altidore, and the former tries to beat Ochoa at the near-post but the Mexican ‘keeper does well to parry it away!
5′ A long, diagonal pass finds Arriola on the left, but the winger couldn’t shield the ball from Luis Rodriguez who clears upfield.
3′ For those interested, Mexico wear all black, while USA don an all-red strip.
1′ Dos Santos pushes forward up the right, dribbles to the edge of the penalty area and launches an early shot right at Steffen that is saved by the latter.
1′ Referee Mario Escobar blows his whistle, and the 2019 Gold Cup final is underway!
Both sides are out on the pitch now as the national anthems ring around Soldier Field in Chicago. Not long to go until kick-off now!
Just under 15 minutes until kick-off!
We should be in for a fairly level match today as Mexico, who come into this match having scored multiple goals in seven of their nine matches in 2019, face a United States defence that has conceded just one goal all tournament.
Coach Gregg Berhalter opts to stick with the exact same 11 players who started in their 3-1 win against Jamaica in the semi-finals. While a little surprising, it’s hard to argue with how USA have performed at this tournament considering they have scored their second most goals ever at this tournament (15), while also boasting the competition’s best defence. Up front, Altidore will draw the most attention but, with seven different players having scored at this Gold Cup already, the Yanks can score from just about anywhere. Can they fire themselves to the title today?
Just one change from Mexico after their 1-0 win against Haiti as Antuna replaces Alvarado on the right wing. The main player today though will surely be striker Raul Jimenez. If the Wolves’ forward manages to score today, not only will he be in line to win the Golden Boot, but he would also become just the third player ever to score in the group stage, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the same Gold Cup. Can he find a goal against the United States today?
United States substitutes: Gyasi Zardes, Sean Johnson, Cristian Roldan, Walker Zimmerman, Wil Trapp, Tyler Miller, Nick Lima, Jonathan Lewis, Djordje Mihailovic, Omar Gonzalez, Daniel Lovitz, Tyler Boyd.
United States (4-3-3): Zack Steffen; Reggie Cannon, Matt Miazga, Aaron Long, Tim Ream; Weston McKennie, Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic; Jordan Morris, Jozy Altidore, Paul Arriola.
Mexico substitutes: Roberto Alvarado, Cesar Montes, Erick Gutierrez, Nestor Araujo, Orbelin Pineda, Hugo Gonzalez, Luis Montes, Fernando Navarro, Diego Reyes, Carlos Rodriguez, Jonathan Orozco, Alexis Vega.
Mexico (4-3-3): Guillermo Ochoa; Luis Rodriguez, Carlos Salcedo, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo; Jonathan dos Santos, Edson Alvarez, Andres Guardado; Uriel Antuna, Raul Jimenez, Rodolfo Pizarro.
Now, let’s take a look at the team news!
These sides are certainly familiar with this stage of the Gold Cup as Mexico have won this competition seven times, while the United States have been champions of this tournament on six previous occasions.
Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of this CONCACAF Gold Cup final between Mexico and the United States!
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