Mexico vs the United States: A history of golazos!

With the 2019 Gold Cup Final set, the only thing we can do is wait. The next 72+ hours will have fans from both sides arguing about which team is better, and who’s the best players, etc. etc.

The reality is, both sides can give a fair argument, particularly these two Gold Cup squads. Mexico for one is playing without some of their best players, yet still managed to make it to the final – with a couple of scares against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals and Haiti in the semifinals – and showed the region they’re still the team to beat. For their part, the Americans weren’t exactly considered favorites to make it to the final, even less to win it all. They have, however, proven their critics wrong and will now be playing The Aztecs for the most prestigious prize in the region.

The two CONCACAF giants will meet in the Gold Cup final for the first time since the 2011 edition. In that final, Mexico came from behind to win 4-2 in Pasadena in front of over 90-thousand fans at the Rose Bowl.

A rivalry is born…

The teams have played each other seven times in the Gold Cup era which began in 1991. Some would argue that that is when this rivalry was born. The US eliminated Mexico in the semifinals of that tournament and delivered a blow to El Tri who was entering a rebuilding stage after having missed the 1990 Word Cup in Italy. For their part, the Yanks were coming off playing in a World Cup, their first since 1950 in Brazil. Also, the country had secured the hosting rights for the 1994 World Cup, which made soccer interest in the country skyrocket to an all-time high. But the US knew that the team south of the border had a lot more experience on the pitch, and if they wanted to be considered real contenders, they needed to first dominate their region.

Though the biggest matchup in the history of this rivalry is generally considered the 2002 World Cup round-of-16 showdown, the Gold Cup has allowed us to watch these two teams go head-to-head for something that matters and has also delighted us with some intense battles and incredible goals.

Today, we’ll revisit some of the most memorable goals in Gold Cup matches between these two teams.

5. Peter Vermes – 1991 Gold Cup Semifinals

Vermes’ shot from outside the 18-yard box, delivered the final blow for the American’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the 1991 Gold Cup semifinal. That shot could have marked the beginning of the rivalry as we know it today. You can see the goal in the 5:08 mark of the video below.

4. Ignacio Ambriz – 1993 Gold Cup Final

Nacho Ambriz had a canon on his leg! The Mexican player blasted a missile from over 30 yards out that beat Tony Meola and give Mexico the 1-0 lead in the Gold Cup final. El Tri went on to win the final 4-0. You can see the goal in the 11:20 mark of the video below.

3. Carlos Vela – 2009 Gold Cup Final

Carlos Vela played one hell of a game, but his third goal of that game was a beauty. Vela had already shown the world he was an expert chipper and once again he showed off his skill. You can see the goal in the 3:50 mark of the video below.

2. Benny Feilhaber – 2007 Gold Cup Final

The Max Bretos call is an all-time classic! Feilhaber’s volley is probably considered the greatest Gold Cup goal for the United States against Mexico. The American’s went on to win the title in Chicago in front of a packed house at Solider Field, which will be hosting this year’s final. You can see the goal and hear the call in the 1:47 mark of the video below.

1. Gio dos Santos – 2011 Gold Cup Final

The goal is one of the last Gold Cup memories that the USMNT has against playing Mexico in a final. Gio’s goal is considered not only one of the greatest in the Gold Cup showdowns between the teams, but also one of the best all-time. The golazo to this day, probably still give Tim Howard nightmares. Mexico went on to win the game 4-2 after being down dos-a-cero. Re-live the fantastic play in the video below.

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