Hey, don’t forget about the U.S. men
They face Mexico in Gold Cup final tonight
CHICAGO — Remember the U.S. men’s soccer team?
It’s also playing for a trophy today, taking on Mexico at Soldier Field in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Gone from the national sports consciousness since its October 2017 loss at Trinidad and Tobago ended a streak of seven straight World Cup appearances, the men’s program is trying to regroup under new coach Gregg Berhalter.
The American women play the Netherlands in France at 9 a.m., chasing their fourth world championship, and they are livid they have to share the spotlight with the Copa America final between host Brazil and Peru at 4 p.m. and the U.S. men seeking their seventh Gold Cup title at 7:15 p.m.
“I look at it differently. I think that this is an opportunity to be Soccer Day in America,” Berhalter said. “When you think about the opportunity for the women to win the World Cup in the morning and then you get to I think party for half the afternoon, then you get to take a little nap, and then you get up, you go to the game and you enjoy the final of Gold Cup.”
The men have outscored opponents 15-1 in five matches.
COPA AMÉRICA: In Sao Paulo, Brazil, after another frustrating Copa América ending, Lionel Messi boycotted the medal ceremony to protest the refereeing and “corruption,” claiming Argentina had not been treated fairly.
Following defeats in the last two finals, Messi had a sudden end to this year’s tournament by being sent off in the third-place game between Argentina and Chile on Saturday.
Messi was red carded after getting into a first-half shoving match with Chile midfielder Gary Medel, who also was ejected.
Argentina won 2-1 but Messi didn’t show up for the medal ceremony to protest the refereeing. He had harsh words after the match, saying “we shouldn’t take part in this corruption.” Messi had several objections. “There was lack of respect toward us during this Copa América,” he said. “We could have done better, but they didn’t let us make it to the final. Corruption and the referees are not letting the fans enjoy football. This is ruining football.”
Messi had already loudly complained against Copa América refereeing after Argentina’s loss to Brazil in the semifinals.
“Maybe what I said last time played a part today,” Messi said. “A yellow card should have been enough for both players.”
When asked if he feared being suspended for his comments, Messi said “the truth needed to be told.”
Argentina won Saturday’s match with first-half goals by Sergio Agüero and Paulo Dybala, with Messi earning an assist.
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP THIRD PLACE: In Nice, France, Sweden edged England 2-1, as Sweden won its third bronze medal.