Sundays CONCACAF Gold Cup final between the U.S. mens national team and Mexico may not be the first between the two programs, but for several American players, it will be.
Mauricio Pochettinos youthful squad are preparing for the 79th all-time meeting with El Tri in Houston, Texas, knowing the winner will lift the trophy and earn bragging rights for at least the next 12 months. The Americans booked their spot in the final after edging Guatemala 2-1 in semifinal play on Wednesday while Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 later that night.
While veterans Tim Ream, Walker Zimmerman, and Tyler Adams are a few experienced faces in the USMNT squad, many young players such as Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, and Patrick Agyemang will be facing off with El Tri for the first time. Although Zimmerman hasnt played a minute of this summers Gold Cup schedule, the 31-year-old is focused on helping the new crop of players be prepared for a hostile atmosphere against Mexico.
A lot of these guys, it is their first time playing [against] Mexico. Its going to be a learning experience, Zimmerman said in a conference call with reporters. Its going to be something that is going to feel a little bit more intense than what theyve been around in the past. Thats something that we, as guys who have played before, have to prepare them in these training sessions, have to prepare them for the game.
And again, its not to psych them out, he added. Its to make sure that theyre prepared and focused and know that they have the belief of everyone on the staff, on the team that, Hey, youre here for a reason. You can win this game. Youve done a great job [in this] tournament. Lets go finish the job. So thats kind of the mentality we have right now.
Freeman is one of several new faces to the USMNT squad in 2025 as he aims to be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster. The Orlando City right back has impressed during his summer appearances, helping the Americans claim five-straight victories in the competition despite suffering back-to-back losses in pre-Gold Cup friendlies.
Wednesdays USMNT-Guatemala showdown at Energizer Park brought one of the better atmospheres of the Gold Cup, providing Freeman and the other young players with an example of what they will see long-term in CONCACAF matches. While Mexico is a different type of opponent than Guatemala, the USMNTs overall goal of winning the Gold Cup hasnt changed.
It was kind of new for me, Freeman said about the semifinal atmosphere in St. Louis. Obviously this is my first tournament with the mens national team. I feel like this atmosphere can build character.
I feel like thats something that I want to do is build my character and show not only the teammates and the coaches but the fans also that this team is built for moments like that, Freeman added.
Should the USMNT beat Mexico on Sunday, they would lift their eighth Gold Cup in program history, which would them only one behind El Tri for the most in tournament history.
