Las Vegas – The United States Mens National Soccer Team stunned soccer experts with a 1-0 win over the favored Mexican National Team. The USMNT was crowned champion of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday night after before a sold-out crowd of 61,514 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
The game ended regulation time with a 1-1 score, causing the match to move on to extra time. In the 117th minute with a header by Miles Robinson.
The win was the second win over Mexico for the US and it sealed their seventh Gold Cup title.
It was the ninth straight win for the USWNT, its fourth-straight shutout and fifth in six Gold Cup matches, only conceding a penalty kick goal in the second group stage game vs. Martinique.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
In the game, Mexico dictated play for much of the first half, but could not break through a tough and disciplined collective defensive effort from the U.S. Turner denied Mexico’s Rogelio Funes Mori on three occasions in the first half alone, including a fantastic diving save early on.
The USA weathered the early pressure and had its own chance to take the lead 26 minutes in. Sebastian Lletget picked off a defensive clearance and found Paul Arriola inside the box, but Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera came out to cut off Arriola’s angle, forcing his shot to hit off the right post.
The second half was more even, with both sides creating half-chances during swinging momentum shifts.
The USA had the last word in extra time, scoring the game-winner in the 117th as Robinson headed in Kellyn Acosta’s free kick to clinch the USA’s second trophy of the summer.
The USA now shifts its focus to the start of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying next month. The USMNT begins its quest for Qatar on Sept. 2 at El Salvador.
