CONCACAF Gold Cup: Factors that could decide the USA, Mexico final

The finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup is in itself a grand affair but to have the United States and Mexico, two countries with a lot of history between them, squaring off for the ultimate glory is what dream footballing ties are made up of.  

Come Sunday night in Las Vegas, the Americans are hoping to claim the trophy for the first time since 2017 while Mexico will be hoping to win back-to-back Gold Cup titles and avenge their loss at the Nations League finals against their neighbours in June.

It’s given that both teams have performed exceptionally well to reach the finals, but there are obviously areas where one team has excelled in and the other, not so much. 

Here are three things to factors that could ultimately decide the match, come the final whistle:

1. Matt Turner and his incredible form

It’s safe to say, Matt Turner, the goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team, has been in an incredible vein of form throughout this tournament. The American team has won all five of its Gold Cup matches and conceded just a single goal.

Although you would argue that the number itself is not enough to say Turner has been terrific, there are further points to be considered. While the team has given away just one goal, according to TruMedia, they have an expected goal-conceded number of 5.82 throughout the tournament, which means they should have been conceding more than a goal game, to put things into perspective. 

Yet again proving that the New England Revolution stopper has been stopping shots from scoring territories and if he can do the same come Sunday, the USA team could be in for a treat.

2. The rock-solid Mexican defence

While it’s Turner who is leading the way in that USA backline, Mexico have been a cohesive defensive unit as a whole. Like the USA, they have only let in a single goal this tournament, but against an incredibly resilient Canada side in the semis. 

The likes of Hector Moreno, Luis Rodriguez and Nestor Araujo have kept it tight at the back. Although the Mexican team has sometimes suffered due to their scrappy finishing, their defence has looked solid even against the tougher opponents. 

Given the United States have themselves found it difficult to create chances, don’t write off the Mexican defence to shut up shop and take El Tri over the line.

3. The raging Mexican counter-attacks

If anyone has seen Mexico’s game against Canada, they already know what I am talking about. Hector Herrera’s winner against Canada showed just how quickly Mexico counter and kill off a game in the biggest of moments.

In possession, the United States haven’t looked the most reliable. In the game against Qatar, James Sands gave away the ball cheaply, allowing Qatar to quickly break on the counter. Although Qatar failed to make the most out of that opportunity, the USA were left vulnerable and Mexican coach Gerardo Martino would know that very well. 

In Jesus Corona and Orbelin Pineda, the Mexicans have extreme pace down the wings and expect them to use that in the grand finale.