The United States won all five games leading into the finals, needing penalties to win its quarterfinal before hanging on against Guatemala to reach the finals. It's star player, Diego Luna, formerly played for the El Paso Locomotive in 2021. Mexico won its group with two wins and a tie, then beat Saudi Arabia and Honduras to make the finals.

Mexico is the defending champion and has the most Gold Cup titles, but the US brings a five-game winning streak into the title game in Houston.

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Richards has noticed a turnaround in the U.S. team during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a change from both the end of coach Gregg Berhalter’s tenure and the start of Mauricio Pochettino’s.