USMNT vs. Mexico Gold Cup final preview: 3 things to watch for

The United States and Mexico will face off once again in a Gold Cup final. Here are three things to watch for on Sunday in Las Vegas. 

The Gold Cup will be awarded on Sunday when the United States and Mexico renew their rivalry in Las Vegas. The sides meet for the seventh time in a Gold Cup championship game, a tournament set up so that the region’s top two teams can meet in the final.

The U.S., No. 20 in the latest FIFA rankings, got to the final after a 1-0 victory against Qatar, an invited team and host of next year’s World Cup. The Americans come into the final after matching their record with 13 straight home victories.

No. 11-ranked Mexico, the defending Gold Cup champions, outlasted Canada 2-1 in the other semifinal.

U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter has fielded a largely B side at this tournament. Regulars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Zack Steffen and Tyler Adams were left off the roster so that they could rest up in time for preseason training with their European clubs.

Despite those stars not being there, expect a thrilling match. Here are three things to watch for at Allegiant Stadium.

Mexico want revenge

This is always a tense matchup, but this one is more special than most. The game comes just two months after the United States defeated Mexico in a thrilling 3-2 extra time victory to win the first-ever CONCACAF Nations League.

It was the latest chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 1934 when the U.S. defeated Mexico to qualify for the World Cup that year. The Mexicans, however, dominated the series for decades, but the growth of US soccer in the 1990s changed all that.

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Winning the Gold Cup is more prestigious than the Nations League, but there is no such thing as a meaningless game when these two teams meet. Even friendlies have become heated as the U.S. and Mexico constantly jockey to be top dog in the region. Another U.S. win would certainly be a morale blow to an El Tri side that will have stars like Hector Herrera, who scored the winning goal against Canada in stoppage time.

Second half fireworks

The knock on the U.S. is that they don’t have a style or a tradition like Brazil or Italy. The reality is that they do — a spirit that includes a never-say-die attitude that often involves a last-gasp goal to win a game.

The Americans did just that at this Gold Cup, recording 1-0 victories against Jamaica in the quarterfinals and an identical result this past Thursday in the semifinals versus Qatar. Against Jamaica, the U.S. grabbed a goal with Matthew Hoppe seven minutes from time. Against Qatar, Gyasi Zardes tallied the winner with four minutes left.

Look for the U.S. to start slow, absorb pressure from the Mexican offense and somehow find a way to draw level or even score first. It’s no guarantee that this will happen, of course, but it’s been the storyline before in big matches.

Zardes can make the difference

In a tournament where the United States and Mexico largely called up second-string players, Zardes is the one striker with the most experience in the USMNT lineup. He made the difference against Qatar after being subbed in during the second half. He could do so again in the final.

Unlike the others in the lineup looking to grab a roster spot in time for World Cup qualifying later this summer, Zardes is already part of this group. That says a lot given the infusion of young talent that has come into the program the past two years.

Zardes grabbed the winner in the dying minutes against Qatar. He can score from anywhere in the penalty box. As a result, the Mexican defense will keep an extra eye on him. Even if the Mexicans double-team Zardes, that will free up other U.S. players like Daryl Dike and Paul Arriola.

Overall, expect intensity and passion. We always get that when these teams meet. This Sunday will be no different.