Pochettino: "We need to win, football isn't a popular game here."

The 2-1 defeat in the final against Mexico is painful for the United States' soccer project. Even more so because it was the last official test, 340 days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mexico has won back-to-back Gold Cup titles. The two countries had alternated winning the biannual tournament since 2011 (the United States won in 2013, 2017, and 2021, while Mexico won in 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2025). Mexico also earned its first win in a tournament final against the United States since the 2019 Gold Cup, ending a three-game losing streak against the Americans in tournament finals.

"Overall, we're disappointed we didn't get a win," said 37-year-old defender Tim Ream.

The US national team played without its star captain, Christian Pulisic, and several other key players who opted to rest or join their teams at the Club World Cup.

"They needed this experience to grow. It was their A team against our B team. They'll grow from this," said former player Landon Donovan.

It's the second loss to Mexico for the U.S. national team under Pochettino, who has coached soccer giants such as Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, and was hired in September 2024. He has nine wins, one draw, and six losses in 16 matches since taking over with the U.S. national team.

"They were beaten tonight by a better team. No problem. More importantly, they established the identity that players, from the outside, whether it's Christian Pulisic or whoever, have to adapt to. There's a long way to go. Next summer, when the World Cup comes around, we'll say... this is where the seed was planted," said Alexi Lalas, a former U.S. national team standout and FOX analyst.

Pochettino faced his seventh final as a manager this Sunday. From 2008 to the present, the Argentine has played in several leagues, including his time as head coach in the United States. During this time, he has participated in seven title-winning matches, the most recent being the Gold Cup final. After this Sunday's defeat, the South American has now lost five finals.

“I would like to see my players playing in front of 70,000 people. And of course, if we're proud of them, that would be incredible. I think we have to understand that football or soccer here isn't a grassroots game. We have to compete first, we have to win. We need the people, we need the fans. The fans have a year to realize how important fans are in football. I think today, in Guatemala, it's something to see in our country how important fans are to be in the stadium, to support the team, to support, not just through Instagram, social media, or behind the television. It's about being here and transmitting energy. For me, we always talk about it in the Americas, in South America, or in Europe: football without fans is impossible,” the coach explained.

Additional notes:

• Chris Richards scored his third career international goal and his second in a final. He becomes the third player to score multiple goals in a final with the United States national team, joining Landon Donovan and Gio Reyna.

• Sebastian Berhalter recorded his second career assist on the opening goal, scored in the fourth minute; both goals were assisted by Richards.

• Center back Tim Ream became the 34th player to reach 75 caps for the United States national team. He captained the team for the 21st time tonight.

• Tyler Adams earned his 50th cap, becoming the 65th player to reach the half-century mark with the U.S. national team.

• The U.S. has a historic record of 24 wins, 38 losses, and 17 draws against Mexico.