Key events
Lineups
USA will have no changes from the starting XI that beat Guatemala in the semifinals: Freese; Arfsten, Ream, Richards, Freeman; de la Torre, Adams; Luna, Tillman, Berhalter; Agyemang
Mexico: Malagon; Gallardo, Vasquez, Montes, Sanchez; Ruiz, Alvarez, Mora; Vega, Jimenez, Alvarado
The venue is the massive NRG Stadium in Houston, and it’s sold out. We’ll see the composition of that crowd at kickoff.
The referee is Mario Escobar of Guatemala. He also had the whistle for the 2019 final between these same teams, which Mexico won 1-0.
Preamble
Welcome to one of the great rivalries in sports.
We’ll forget all the people who are not here at this point. We’ll forget about the fact that this final is the conclusion of a “regional championship” that included Saudi Arabia. Someone’s going to get a trophy here. And a lot of players will be trying to make their mark in a meaningful game, hoping for a good impression that will last until the World Cup rosters are made next year.
Comments are welcome and encouraged as always.
Beau will be here shortly.
Until then, read up on The US’s path to the final with Leander Schaerlaeckens: