U.S. junior varsity lineup upsets Mexico to win Gold Cup

Associated Press
Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 12:05 a.m. | Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 12:05 a.m.

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United States forward Paul Arriola attempts to block a kick by Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match in Las Vegas.

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United States defender George Bello dribbles the ball down the field against Mexico during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas.

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United States midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) and Mexico defender Luis Rodriguez battle for the ball during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas.

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Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera looks to pass the ball against the United States during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas.

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United States forward Paul Arriola (7) draws a penalty by Mexico defender Nestor Araujo during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas.

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United States forward Matthew Hoppe (13) runs to the ball against Mexico during the first half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS — Miles Robinson scored on a header in the 117th minute, and a United States junior varsity lineup upset a mostly front-line Mexico team 1-0 on Sunday night to win the CONCACAF Cup.

Kellyn Acosta, the only player in the U.S. lineup who gets playing time when the first-choice roster is together, took a free kick, and Robinson outjumped Edson Álvarez and headed the ball in on one hop to the right of goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

Robinson, a 24-year-old defender, got his third international goal in nine international appearances, his second goal of the tournament.

MILES ROBINSON IN THE 117TH MINUTE ?

The @USMNT takes the lead!!!!f pic.twitter.com/1CwsO0qQWe

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 2, 2021

Matt Turner got his fifth shutout in six matches of the Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The U.S. won its seventh Gold Cup title, its first since 2017, matching Mexico for the most in the 15 tournaments. Canada won in 2000. It was just the second victory for the Americans in seven finals against El Tri.

The U.S. has won nine consecutive games overall and 14 home games in a row.

Top players, who are with their clubs for European preseasons, will return when the U.S. opens World Cup qualifying at El Salvador on Sept. 2. Mexico starts at home that day against Jamaica.

Before an overwhelmingly pro-Mexico crowd, El Tri started seven of the 11 players who began the Nations League final that the U.S. won in extra time in June: defenders Luis Rodríguez, Néstor Araujo, Héctor Moreno and Jesús Gallardo plus midfielders Álvarez, Jesús Corona and Héctor Herrera. The newcomers were Talavera, midfielders Jonathan dos Santos and Orbelín Pineda, and forward Rogelio Funes Mori, starting in place of goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa plus Carlos Rodríguez, Uriel Antuna and Hirving Lozano.

The U.S. lineup that included nine players from Major League Soccer.

The field CONCACAF chose was 69 yards wide, narrower than the recommended 75 yards.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes from the lineup in the semifinal win over Qatar, inserting Cannon for Shaq Moore, Bello for Sam Vine, Williamson for Gianluca Busio and Zardes for Daryl Dike.