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90+3min: A couple more hopeful balls into the area, but no luck and the final whistle goes. Mexico win, 1-0.

90+2min: US throw everyone forward, but Mexico holding firm.

90min: Three minutes added on. Mexico have a corner after the US turn the ball over in midfield, and go on to waste some time ... except they don’t and swing it in and head wide instead in a strange sequence.

87min: Another corner for Pulisic, His in-swinger is not cleared and the US cause havoc with the second ball but somehow cannot find the back of the net. Moreno makes a big block with his face. Guardado makes way for Reyes for the game’s final change.

85min: Pulisic goes on a Hazard-esque run, collects a Hazard-esque foul. Pulisic swings in the free kick, but Miazga’s header is wide. Alvarado replaces Antuna for Mexico.

83min: Lovitz on for Ream as the US go attacking in search of an equalizer.

80min: Roldan wins another corner. Pulisic again takes, but Mexico clear. USA retain possession until they don’t and Mexico can waste some time. C.Rodríguez replaces Pizarro, who suddenly has no idea how substitutions work.

78min: Another corner, another Pulisic cross. Miazga wins it at the far post but his effort is well wide.

76min: Pulisic swings in a corner into a dangerous area, but no one can get to it.

73min: Gol! Mexico take the lead, and it’s nothing they don’t deserve. Jiménez controls a cross and lays it off to Dos Santos, who shapes an unstoppable effort over Steffen and off the underside of the bar. 1-0, MEXICO.

71min: Pulisic gets a touch from a Zardes knockdown, knocks it on with his own head as he runs towards goal, but his shot is high wide and not so handsome under strong pressure.

70min: Another corner from Mexico as the US are dragged all over the place. Dos Santos takes, again to the top of the box. This time the shot is blocked.

67min: Mexico win a corner after they once again make headway down the US left but Miazga’s there to clear. The corner’s hit to the top of the D, where the first-time shot is held by Steffen.

64min: Jiménez wastes a good chance as he can’t make good contact after Pizarro makes fools of the US left flank. Steffen catches the weak effort. Zardes replaces Altidore up front for the US.

61min: Arriola and Rodríguez end up in a heap by the corner flag, but no card. Probably okay call. Cristian Roldan replaces his Sounders teammate Jordan Morris meanwhile.

57min: US turn the ball over in midfield but Mexico don’t take advantage as Guardado hits another one well over from a cutback on the left. He then does the same thing 20 seconds later after Bradley loses the ball.

55min: Mexico win a foul 25 yards out in prime shooting position, but Guardado chips it over harmlessly.

52min: Mexico threaten at the other end but a cutback is missed by everybody.

51min: Meanwhile, back at the football, Mexico clear a dangerous Arriola cross. Pulisic takes the corner and finds Morris, who powers a header on target but it’s cleared by Guardado off the line! A follow up shot from McKennie is blocked by a sea of bodies. No VAR in the Gold Cup, but no goal looks the correct call in both instances.

47min: And already a flashpoint as Moreno pushes Altidore over, then jumps on his back to push his face into the ground as well. McKennie jumps in, tempers flare, handbags ensue. Guardado puts his hand on McKennie’s neck. Referee keeps his cards in his pocket. LOL?

46min: No changes at the half. US restart with a long ball down the right, which Mexico defend easily.

HALF-TIME: USMNT started very well, but it’s been a fairly even contest after that, with Mexico looking to play in wide areas and the US looking to hit back on counters. Plenty of drama left in this one yet!

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45+2min: A fun, but scoreless half is brought to a close by the referee’s whistle. 0-0 and all to play for.

45min: Pizarro appears to pick up an arm injury as he falls awkwardly and unfortunately after a tackle from McKennie.

43min: Pulisic with another chip, this time caught by Ochoa. Pulisic then almost steals the ball on the high press.

41min: Pulisic again with some great hold-up play to get the US out from pressure, but his scoop over the top is not read by either Altidore or Morris and Mexico have the ball back. Dos Santos tries his luck from distance, but it flies harmlessly wide.

39min: Pulisic with a half-chance after he intercepts a clearance, but he’s crowded out.

37min: Cannon’s allowed to run the length of the pitch, but Morris’s cross is terrible and the decent opportunity goes to waste.

34min: Miazga with a crucial clearance after Morris dallies on the ball, gifting Mexico an easy chance.

31min: US almost get a gift as Mexico make a royal mess of a simple ball between the goalkeeper and the defenders and Arriola nips in. He turns, shoots, but the ball rolls just wide of the far post.

28min: Mexico test Steffen from 18 yards, but Gallardo’s called for a handball.

26min: A bit of aimless US possession is followed by a bit more direct play from Mexico but the US clear, finding Pulisic. He holds up the ball and brings Morris into play. The return ball is bit behind Pulisic in the area however and Mexico clear before he can fashion a shot. US then come forward through Pulisic again, but Arriola runs out of ideas on the left.

22min: Pulisic is hacked down, then gets the ball kicked into him by L.Rodríguez. Altidore rushes in but the referee’s there to diffuse the situation once again. Emotions on a knife edge.

21min: Miazga clears with his head three times in quick succession as Mexico try to attack from wide areas.

20min: US wins the ball high from a goal-kick. Pulisic brings in Arriola, who finds Bradley. Bradley’s crossfield pass finds McKennie but his Altidore doesn’t challenge for the cutback and Mexico clear for a corner. Pulisic takes, and its into a good area, but Mexico clear.

17min: Pulisic chases one over the top but loses out. Lunges in as the defender launches a clearance, but no yellow as the referee tries to diffuse the situation with a talking-to.

16min: Mexico’s turn to waste a good chance as Miazga’s beaten down the line to a cross and Guardado looks ready to tap it home, only for Arriola to arrive out of nowhere and put him off enough to hit it high and wide.

12min: Miazga with another strong header win vs. Jiménez. Good start for the big guy at the back, though he gets called for a shove in the back on the next duel.

8min: Mexico come forward in transition and fashion cross but it’s easy catch for Steffen off the contested header.

7min: USA miss an even bigger chance as Ream finds Altidore with a ball over the top, he beats Moreno but drags his left-footed shot wide of the post 1-v-1. USA should be up 2-0.

5min: Jordan Morris has the ball in a promising position, but his pass infield is between two red shirts, including Pulisic and Mexico clear all the way to Steffen. His long kick is won by Altidore and he plays Pulisic through. The Chelsea man shrugs off his defender but cannot convert as Ochoa makes the leg save. Big chance! Even bigger save.

3min: Pulisic gets a brief first touch before immediately being tackled. US keep the ball and win a throw in Mexico’s half. US settle with a bit of possession and the “home crowd” boos with enthusiasm.

1min: Mexico with the game’s first shot; Steffen gathers easily from Jonathan dos Santos. Pulisic playing quite advanced ahead of the two other midfielders.

KICK-OFF: The anthems are done, and we’re ready. US in Nikes all reds, Mexico in adidas all blacks. Mexico get us underway and the Windy City lives up to its name with a strong breeze blowing through the place.

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US Soccer set out to rule the international game on this fine early-July Sunday. The Women already did the job without too much difficulty, dispatching the Netherlands in the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, 2-0. Now it’s the men’s turn, who face CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico in the final of the 2019 Gold Cup.

Date / Time: Sunday, July 7, 2019, 9:15pm EDT; 2:15am BST (next day) 6:45am IST (next day)
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, USA
Referee: Mario Escobar (GUA)

On TV: Fox Sports 1, Univision (USA); Premier Sports 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: ESPN+, Fubo TV, Univision Deportes En Vivo (USA); Premier Player (UK); CONCACAF GO (int’l)

It doesn’t get much bigger than this in this region and it’s been a very even matchup in the last decade or so, with Mexico holding a slight edge 5 wins to 4 (with 4 draws) since the 2009 Gold Cup final. El Tri won that 5-0; we should not expect anything so one-sided today (hopefully).

As far as Chelsea interest goes, it is of course all eyes on Christian Pulisic, but Matt Miazga also starts! Wolves’ Raúl Jiménez will lead Mexico. But no Chucky Lozano, who missed the tournament with a knee injury.

Here we go!

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Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3):
Ochoa | Gallardo, Moreno, Salcedo, L.Rodríguez | Guardado, Álvarez, J.dos Santos | Pizarro, Jiménez, Antuna

Substitutes from: Reyes, Orozco, L.Montes, González, Araújo, Gutiérrez, Pineda, C.Montes, Vega, C.Rodríguez, Navarro, Alvarado

USA starting lineup (4-3-3)
Steffen | Ream, Long, Miazga, Cannon | Pulisic, Bradley, McKennie | Arriola, Altidore, Morris

Substitutes from: Mihailovic, Boyd, Lima, Miller, Trapp, Zimmerman, Roldan, Johnson, Lovitz, González, Lewis, Zardes

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Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!