Edson Álvarez’s tiebreaking goal gives Mexico 2-1 win over US for 10th Gold Cup title

HOUSTON AP Edson lvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the th minute after a video review reversed an offside call and Mexico beat the United States - on Sunday night for its record th CONCACAF Gold Cup title Chris Richards put the U S ahead in the fourth minute heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament but Ra l Jim nez tied the points in the th with his third goal of this Gold Cup Mexico was awarded the free kick when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank Johan V squez flicked the restart across the goal mouth and lvarez burst past the defense redirecting the ball from yards just inside Matt Freese s far post While the play was initially called offside the goal was awarded by the VAR and Mexico defended its title from while improving to - in Gold Cup finals against the U S Patrick Agyemang had a chance two minutes into stoppage time but he didn t make good contact on his short-range shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Malag n We re disappointed obviously to not come away with a win U S captain Tim Ream noted A sellout crowd of at NRG Stadium was about pro-Mexico and booed U S players when they walked out for pregame warmups Mexico dominated with possession and had corner kicks to none for the Americans This was the last competitive match for the U S and Mexico before co-hosting next year s World Cup with Canada The U S which has seven Gold Cup titles but none since used a starting lineup with only a handful of players as of now projected as World Cup starters missing regulars due to vacation injuries and the Club World Cup Coach Mauricio Pochettino used their absence to evaluate players who could push for starting jobs during the friendlies this fall and next spring and Luna Agyemang and Freese emerged as contenders for World Cup roster spots Richards out the U S in front when he headed Berhalter s free kick from about yards off the crossbar The ball bounced straight down and just crossed the goal line Jim nez scored his nd international goal third-most in Mexican history He burst past the defense and one-timed the pass from Marcel Ruiz beating Freese from about yards on a shot that might have nicked Ream Jim nez celebrated by grabbing a Mexico No jersey with DIOGO J in honor of Diogo Jota his former Wolverhampton teammate who died in a car crash Thursday in Spain Jim nez ran to a corner sat down with the jersey and mimicked playing a video contest AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer