The dominant teams of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the USA and Mexico, have met in the 2025 final in Houston, having won 16 of the 17 editions between them.
Mexico, the current champions, secured a 1-0 victory over Panama in the 2023 final and also emerged victorious against the same opponents in the CONCACAF Nations League final earlier this year.
In the lead up to the final, Mexico showcased a strong defense, while the USA had to rely on penalties to progress past Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, followed by a 2-1 win against Guatemala in the semis.
Team news
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is likely to stick with the lineup from the semi-final, with Diego Luna performing well on the left wing and Patrick Agyemang leading the attack.
Notable Europe-based players like Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun, and Serginho Dest were not available for the tournament.
Mexico's head coach, Javier Aguirre, has a decision to make between Mateo Chavez and Jesus Gallardo for the left-back position.
Edson Alvarez, the midfielder from West Ham, captains the Mexican team, with Raul Jimenez from Fulham leading the forward line and goalkeeper Luis Malagon aiming for a fifth consecutive clean sheet.
The stats
In recent history, the USA has won five out of their last six home games against Mexico, with over 2.5 goals scored in 10 of their last 12 encounters.
The USA has managed only two clean sheets in their last nine matches, while Mexico has conceded just three shots on target in their last four games.
Defender Cesar Montes has been in fine form, scoring three goals in four matches at the tournament, a stark contrast to his one goal in the previous 54 appearances for Mexico.
Mexico has won three of their last four matches without conceding a goal.
Prediction
Based on past results, Mexico's 1-0 victory over Panama in 2023, a similar outcome could be on the cards as they face the USA in the final.
Mexico began their campaign with a 3-2 win against the Dominican Republic and have kept a clean sheet in the subsequent four games.
With a strong squad at their disposal, Mexico is well-equipped for the final, while the USA is missing several key players due to injuries and other commitments.
Diego Luna has been instrumental for the USA, scoring three of their four goals in the knockout stages, supported by the impressive performances of playmaker Malik Tillman.
Breaking down Mexico's defense will pose a challenge for the USA, as demonstrated in their previous encounter, a 2-0 friendly defeat last October.
Mexico's solid defense, led by goalkeeper Luis Malagon, has been difficult to breach, conceding only three shots on target in their recent matches.
While the USA started strongly with a 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago, their performances have been less convincing, and they could struggle against a seasoned Mexico side in the final.