U.S. seeking a trophy and something more in final
The U.S. men's national soccer team will attempt to win a third consecutive CONCACAF Nations League trophy today.
It will also try to win over more fans. The majority of the crowd at AT&T Stadium is expected to support the other finalist, Mexico, whose fan base in the United States is so large and devoted, most of the team's “home” friendlies have been played at U.S. venues for years.
Nevertheless, the Americans see opportunity to continue attracting new fans in the U.S.-based Latin American community ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada. In particular, they are aiming to engage a younger generation that does not necessarily have unbreakable rooting interests tied to family lineage.
“That is our job — as players, as role models, as people — to put ourselves out there to bring these youngsters and maybe convert others to rooting for the U.S.,” U.S. defender Tim Ream said. “Their home is the U.S., and we want to make sure we're putting on good performances but also representing the country in a very positive way.”
“And hopefully,” Ream added, “that gives them a team, players and a group they can potentially support and root for each and every time we play.”
CONCACAF, soccer's regional governing body, stages almost all international tournaments in the United States, in part because demographics here ensure a mixed audience. That is certainly the case in the biennial Gold Cup, with about a dozen teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean competing in several cities.
For small-format events, such as the Nations League final four, CONCACAF chooses large venues to accommodate tens of thousands of Mexican fans and maximize ticket revenue. The previous Nations League final fours were held at NFL stadiums in Denver and Las Vegas.
Thursday's semifinal doubleheader drew an announced crowd of 40,926. Only a fraction, though, was on hand for the kickoff of the U.S.-Jamaica opener. The Sunday night final is expected to attract greater U.S. fan turnout — but also a larger contingent supporting Mexico.
Despite fewer fans in their corner, the Americans defeated their rivals in each of the previous two Nations Leagues: 3-2 in extra time of the 2021 final and 3-0 in the 2023 semifinal.
Today, the teams will meet in a knockout game for the 15th time in their contentious history. Mexico has won five of eight Gold Cup clashes, but lost the 2002 World Cup round-of-16 showdown and the 1995 Copa América quarterfinal in a shootout. The Mexicans lead the alltime series 36-23-17 but are winless in the past six rumbles.
To extend its streak — and win over fans — the United States will need to show marked improvement after needing a last-gasp own-goal and two extratime goals by substitute Haji Wright to defeat Jamaica, 3-1.
“Not our best day, not my best day,” U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic said.
The Americans fell behind 31 seconds into the match, a baffling lapse that prompted coach Gregg Berhalter to say his players did not take his warnings about CONCACAF games to heart. “Somewhere along the line it goes in one ear and out the other one,” Berhalter said.
The U.S. expects to receive a boost from Sergiño Dest, Berhalter's firstchoice right back, who served a red-card suspension Thursday.