A Rivalry Without a Winner: Mexico Takes the Gold Cup, Uncertainty Takes the Spotlight
Mexico beat the United States 2–1 in the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium, but the result didn’t feel like a sign that either team is suddenly where they want to be. On the field, the match delivered the usual rivalry energy — the U.S. landed the early goal, Mexico responded through Raúl Jiménez, and Edson Álvarez scored the second-half winner. But the bigger story was everything surrounding the two teams rather than the 90 minutes alone.
For Mexico, the trophy is meaningful, but it doesn’t erase the struggles of the past few years. This group is still rebuilding, still inconsistent, and still trying to figure out what their long-term identity looks like before the next World Cup. The win offers relief, not a guarantee.
The U.S., meanwhile, arrives in a different kind of storm. The fan frustration was loud all tournament — many supporters were upset that several USMNT stars skipped the Gold Cup entirely. Add in the public tension between former legends, current players, and federation leadership, and the final became another reminder of the uncertainty surrounding the program. Even with flashes of quality, the U.S. looked like a team caught between eras.
In the end, Mexico lifted the trophy, but both teams walk away with as many questions as answers — a rivalry where the gap isn’t defined by progress, but by who’s struggling just a little less at the moment.
