The USMNT were already the champions of CONCACAF thanks to the USMNT’s victory in the Nation’s League finals earlier this summer. This win, this win by a team overwhelmingly built by reserves, cements that status as the clear top dog.
Deja vu
So, let’s get this straight. The USMNT took on Mexico in a final and won by a single goal from a set piece late in extra-time. Doesn’t this sound familiar to you?
It’s not just the superficial circumstances that make the Gold Cup final resemble the Nations League final. Obviously, the big difference there is that the US fell behind and leveled the score twice in the Nation’s league before ultimately winning, while in the Gold Cup, the US kept the match scoreless until winning it late.