CHICAGO, IL. (July 7, 2019) – For the first time since 2015, Mexico are CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions. In a tight physical game, El Tri defeated the United States Men’s National Team on Sunday night at Soldier Field. A goal from Jonathan dos Santos was the different.
Mexico win Gold Cup Final Behind Jonathan dos Santos Goal
The Yanks nearly scored twice in the opening ten minutes. First Paul Arriola got around Luis Rodriguez and in on goal, but Guillermo Ochoa made the point blank save, cutting down the angle. In the 8th minute, Jozy Altidore got onto a cross from Tim Ream, cut between the center backs, but shot just wide of the post.
Things heated up the half as both teams committed hard fouls. Head Referee Mario Escobar had to separate players on several occasions from mosh pits.
It reached a boiling point in the 47th minute when Altidore was fouled by Hector Moreno. Moreno proceded to fall on Altidore and put his hand on the back of Altidore’s head. Captains Weston McKennie and Andres Guardado exchanged words, shoves, and contact above the shoulders.
Mexio had the better second half with most of the ball, attacking down the wings. Guardado had several good looks but could not get much on target. Raul Jimenez had a great chance on a tipped pass in front of goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went right to goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Gaining momentum, the Jonathan dos Santos found the goal in the 73rd minute. Jimenez found Dos Santos with a back heel pass right at the top of the box. Dos Santos knocked the ball over Steffen, under the crossbar, and in to make it 1-0.
The United States had several good opportunities in the final 15 minutes, mostly from set pieces. They were unable to make them count, with Matt Miazga missing multiple headers. Cristian Roland was denied on a second chance off a corner by Ochoa in the final minutes. The match ended 1-0.
WHAT A GOAL! QUE GOLAZO! ???
Jonathan dos Santos finishes off a beautiful team goal to give Mexico the lead late in this #GoldCup2019 final ?? pic.twitter.com/gr18Y5GDok
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 8, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Altidore miss: USMNT fans will be lamenting early chances that were missed. Altidore had a sitter in the 8th minute and missed it. The United States didn’t have a better opportunity the rest of the game.
Second half: Mexico adjusted a grew their confidence throughout the match. They were clearly the better team in the second half. The goal had been coming.
Dos Santos caps off good 2019: The Jonathan dos Santos goal was his third with the national team career, all of which came in this calendar year. It was a fantastic strike and was the one bit of quality needed to clinch the trophy.
