SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Every time the Gold Cup comes around, the working assumption is that the U.S. and Mexico will meet in the final. More often that not, reality intrudes.
The two CONCACAF giants have met in the final five out of the 14 times the tournament has been held. But Wednesday's final for the 2017 edition marks the third consecutive tournament in which either the U.S. or Mexico missed out, with the Americans set to face Jamaica instead.
Mexico's absence has certainly reduced the amount of pregame hype, but U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard insisted it doesn't matter who the opponent is.