Overlook about an immediate basic. The 2021 Gold Cup closing between the USA and Mexico might flip right into a basic beatdown if the hole within the rosters manifests itself on the sector at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Whereas the U.S. nationwide staff’s roster doesn’t function lots of the regulars based mostly in Europe, Mexico’s roster is near a full staff outdoors of key gamers concerned with Mexico’s Olympic facet in Tokyo. However this U.S. facet has nonetheless managed to discover a technique to win matches throughout this Gold Cup, counting on protection (one aim allowed), nice goalkeeping by Matt Turner and customarily scrapping its method by powerful knockout spherical matches in opposition to Jamaica and Qatar. Regardless of its stronger squad, Mexico began the match sluggish and struggled to get by Canada within the semis.

However when these two archrivals come collectively, the script often goes out the window, as we noticed in June’s Nations League closing, when the USA mounted an epic comeback to shock El Tri and hoist the trophy. USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter is hoping for a few of those self same vibes from his younger, underdog facet in Vegas.

MORE: Watch the USA-Mexico Gold Cup closing on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

This would be the 71st all-time match between the 2 nationwide groups (36-20-15 edge for Mexico) they usually’re assembly within the Gold Cup closing for the second straight match and seventh closing general. It hasn’t gone so effectively for the Individuals in these earlier six finals: 5 losses and just one win, in 2007.

How you can watch USA vs. Mexico Gold Cup Ultimate

• Date: Sunday, August 1, 2021
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: FS1
• Spanish-language TV: TUDN, Univision
• Streaming: fuboTV, Fox Sports activities app, TUDN app, TUDN.television
• In Canada: OneSoccer.ca

The Gold Cup closing from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas can be broadcast on FS1 (English) and Univision and TUDN (Spanish). All three networks could be streamed on fuboTV (free 7-day trial). The match can be streamed on the Fox Sports activities app, TUDN app and TUDN.television, however just for authenticated subscribers.

OneSoccer.ca will carry the CONCACAF regional championship in Canada.

USA vs. Mexico beginning lineups

Loads of modifications on the U.S. facet with Eryk Williamson, Reggie Cannon, George Bello and Gyasi Zardes (under) all getting begins. Except Gregg Berhalter surprises us and Paul Arriola serves for granted wingback, it doesn’t look like he’ll be going with a three-man heart again system. In that case, be careful for heart again James Sands, who could be uncovered if remoted in one-on-one conditions.

On the Mexico facet, Tata Martino went with central defender Nestor Araujo over Carlos Salcedo, who could be vulnerable to a mistake or crimson card. The very last thing Mexico needs to do is to provide the USA any benefit. Additionally, Martino went with Jonathan Dos Santos over Erick Gutierrez in midfield. Dos Santos, whose father handed away earlier this week, began the final two matches in opposition to Canada and Honduras.

USA beginning lineup (4-3-3, left to proper): 1-Matt Turner-GK — 21-George Bello, 12-Miles Robinson, 16-James Sands, 2-Reggie Cannon — 19-Eryk Williamson, 23-Kellyn Acosta, 17-Sebastian Lletget — 13-Matthew Hoppe, 9-Gyasi Zardes, 7-Paul Arriola (capt.)

USA subs: 18-Sean Johnson-GK, 22-Brad Guzan-GK, 3-Sam Vines, 20-Shaq Moore, 4-Donovan Pines, 24-Henry Kessler, 14-Jackson Yueill, 6-Gianluca Busio, 10-Cristian Roldan, 8-Nicholas Gioacchini, 11-Daryl Dike, 15-Jonathan Lewis

Mexico beginning lineup (4-3-3, left to proper): 1-Alfredo Talavera-GK — 23-Jesus Gallardo, 15-Hector Moreno, 2-Nestor Araujo, 21-Luis Rodriguez — 6-Jonathan Dos Santos, 4-Edson Alvarez, 16-Hector Herrera — 10-Orbelin Pineda, 11-Rogelio Funes Mori, 17-Jesus “Tecatito” Corona

Mexico subs: 12-Rodolfo Cota-GK, 20-Jonathan Orozco-GK, 3-Carlos Salcedo, 5-Osvaldo Rodriguez, 8-Kevin Alvarez, 19-Gilberto Sepulveda, 14-Erick Gutierrez, 7-Erick Sanchez, 13-Alan Cervantes, 24-Rodolfo Pizarro, 18-Efrain Alvarez, 9-Alan Pulido

Gold Cup Ultimate: Odds and prediction

Mexico’s roster ought to give it the clear edge on the sector, however a shorthanded Canada facet nonetheless pushed El Tri to the brink within the semifinals, almost taking the sport to further time till a Hector Herrera game-winning aim deep in stoppage time. One of the best-case situation for the USMNT is that it could possibly have the same sport to that Canadian facet, however the steadiness nonetheless suggestions in Mexico’s favor in the case of gamers on the sector who can resolve the sport.

El Tri may even have loads of further motivation for this match: The Mexicans are defending their Gold Cup title and are out for revenge for the Nations League closing in June, when the USA claimed that trophy in a dramatic, come-from-behind victory. The passing of Jonathan Dos Santos’s father this week additionally introduced the staff collectively in an emotional method, as witnessed in opposition to Canada on Thursday. On high of all that, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is anticipated to have a big pro-Mexico crowd.

Setting apart the emotional components, the actual fact is that the USA struggled for 60 minutes in opposition to Qatar and it had its challenges in opposition to each Canada and Jamaica within the matches earlier than that. Grit and scrappiness saved them in all three video games, however it could possibly solely take you to this point once you’re going through the most effective staff within the match. A Mexico win could be the typical choose, but it surely’s additionally actually onerous to image a special situation enjoying out except issues actually do go haywire.

Prediction: Mexico 2, USA 0

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

• USA to win (90 minutes): +250
• USA to win Gold Cup: +125
• Draw (90 minutes): +215
• Mexico to win (90 minutes): +130
• Mexico to win Gold Cup: -155
• Mexico whole staff targets over 1.5 targets: +140
• Mexico win and over 1.5 targets: +210
• Mexico win and underneath 1.5 targets: +575
• Mexico -0.5 Asian Handicap: +130