Mexico takes down US men in Gold Cup final

Mexico 1, United States 0

CHICAGO — Long before the game's start, this match against Mexico already carried weight for the U.S. men's national team thanks to the opponent, the Americans' southern rival and a regional soccer power. Then toss in these circumstances and these stakes, a CONCACAF Gold Cup trophy waiting to be delivered to one of the national teams.

These teams have met six times in this tournament's final, but this year's edition held some additional value, too: a chance to establish confidence in a program still playing in the shadows of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. But the U.S. national team couldn't top Mexico, the team that entered the tournament as the favorite, in a 1-0 loss at Soldier Field on Sunday night.

Mexico had looked like the more dangerous team and then broke through in the 73rd minute when Jonathan dos Santos scored off a backheel pass from Raul Jimenez, prompting many fountains of beer flying upward in the pro-mexico crowd. On the goal, the ball barely hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.

Thousands of Mexico supporters flocked toward Soldier Field hours in advance, greeting the U.S. team playing in Chicago with boos and filling the stadium with Mexican flags as kickoff approached.

Before the final, U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said his staff has watched every game Mexico has played since Gerardo Martino, the former coach of 2018 MLS champion Atlanta United, took over the program at the beginning of the year.

Both national teams, which have combined to win 13 of 14 Gold Cup titles, are navigating similar circumstances this year with new coaches.

The teams played a scoreless first half, but the U.S. had a few opportunities it couldn't capitalize on. Christian Pulisic had an early attempt saved by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Soon afterward, Jozy Altidore sent the ball to the right of the post when he had a chance to score against a goalkeeper already heading to the ground.