Soccer ForwardSoccer ForwardOpen CupOpen Cup
Volkswagen
Nike
Become An InsiderOfficial Store
Login
U.S. Soccer
  • National Teams
    USWNT
    USMNT
    Youth
    Extended
    USWNT HomeCurrent RosterUSWNT LINEUPS
    ScheduleStoriesUSWNT STATS
    USMNT HomeCurrent RosterUSMNT LineupsUnique USMNT Player number
    Schedule & TicketsStoriesUSMNT StatsUSMNT on tv
    Women
    Under-14 NDPU-15 GNTU-16 GNTU-17 WNTU-18 WNTU-19 WNTU-20 WNTU-23 WNT
    Men
    Under-14 NDPU-15 BNTU-16 BNTU-17 MNTU-18 MNTU-19 MNTU-20 MNTU-23 MNT
    Women
    U.S. WOMEN’S BEACH SOCCER NATIONAL TEAMU.S. WOMEN’S FUTSAL NATIONAL TEAMU.S. WOMEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAMU.S. WOMEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM
    Men
    U.S. MEN'S BEACH SOCCER NATIONAL TEAMU.S. MEN’S FUTSAL NATIONAL TEAMU.S. MEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAMU.S. MEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM
    Co-Ed
    Power Soccer National Team
  • Schedule & Tickets
    Schedule & Tickets
    Ticketmaster logo
    GROUP ORDERS FAQ
    TICKET FAN AND EVENT FAQ
    MOBILE TICKETING
  • Participate
    Home
    Coaching
    Refereeing
    Safeguarding Hub
    Health and Wellness
    Additional Resources
    Talent IdentificationFederation ServicesOrganization MembersGovernanceU.S. Soccer Alumni Club
  • Initiatives
    Soccer Forward
    Development Fund
    STRATEGIC VISION
    National Training Center
    SHEBELIEVES
    ONE NATION.
    ADAPTandTHRIVE
    Referee Abuse Prevention
Become An InsiderOfficial Store
U.S. Soccer
User profile icon
  • Soccer ForwardSoccer Forward
    Open CupOpen Cup
    Nike
    Volkswagen
Loading...

Go Deeper

MNT2021 CONCACAF Gold CupUSMNT vs Mexico 8 1 21

Related Stories

On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

USMNT Rewind: Christian Pulisic Leads Serie A in Goal Contributions, Alex Zendejas Bags Brace


On the Pitch
September 26, 2025

How Many USMNT Players Competed in Both FIFA U-20 World Cup and Senior World Cups?


On the Pitch
September 25, 2025

USMNT Looks for More Mile High Magic Ahead of World Cup

Go Deeper

MNT2021 CONCACAF Gold CupUSMNT vs Mexico 8 1 21

Related Stories

On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

USMNT Rewind: Christian Pulisic Leads Serie A in Goal Contributions, Alex Zendejas Bags Brace


On the Pitch
September 26, 2025

How Many USMNT Players Competed in Both FIFA U-20 World Cup and Senior World Cups?


On the Pitch
September 25, 2025

USMNT Looks for More Mile High Magic Ahead of World Cup

Latest Stories

On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

USWNT Rewind: Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit Clinch Playoff Spot; Korbin Shrader Records Hat Trick for OL Lyonnes

On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

USMNT Rewind: Christian Pulisic Leads Serie A in Goal Contributions, Alex Zendejas Bags Brace


On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

Stuart Sharp Names Final 14-Player U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team Roster for IFCPF Copa America in Uruguay


Open Cup
September 29, 2025

‘An Incredible Honor’: Tori Penso Leads First All-Female U.S. Open Cup Final Officiating Crew


On the Pitch
September 29, 2025

How to Watch: U.S. U-20 MNT vs. New Caledonia in FIFA U-20 World Cup


Open Cup
September 28, 2025

U.S. Open Cup Final Preview: History on Offer for Austin FC or Nashville SC

Latest Videos

image
About U.S. Soccer
History
Governance
Sponsors & Partners
Careers
Media Services
How to report a concern
Fan code of conduct
Fan ticket and event faq
Contact us
Organization members
Federation Services
Brand Protection
Connect with us

Get unrivaled matchday access

App StoreGoogle Play Store
Join the team
Join the team
Join the team
Sign Up For Free
already an insider?Login
COPYRIGHT U.S. SOCCER 2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PRIVACY POLICY
CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
TERMS OF USE
ACCESSIBILITY
On the Pitch

USA Wins 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup With Dramatic 1-0 Extra-time Victory Against Mexico

USMNT Defeats Mexico in Second-Straight Final This Summer to Claim Seventh Confederation Crown; Miles Robinson Scores Game-Winner with 117th-Minute Header
August 1, 2021
Image
Image

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 1, 2021) – The U.S. Men’s National Team was crowned champion of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday night after defeating Mexico 1-0 in extra time on Miles Robinson’s 117th-minute header before a sold-out crowd of 61,514 fans at Allegiant Stadium.

 

With the victory, the USA clinched its seventh Gold Cup title and second-straight victory vs. Mexico in a tournament final after also defeating its regional rival in the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Final on June 6 with an almost entirely different squad.

 

 

In winning its ninth-straight game, the USA registered its fourth-straight shutout and fifth in six Gold Cup matches, only conceding a penalty kick goal in the second group stage game vs. Martinique. For his efforts anchoring the defense, goalkeeper Matt Turner won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. The USA has now won the Concacaf Gold Cup in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2021.

 

The archrivals entered the match having conceded just one goal each with both posting four shutouts through their first five games, and neither side budged through 115 minutes in the championship match. Mexico dictated play for much of the first half, but could not break through a disciplined and disruptive collective defensive effort from the U.S.

 

Anchored by goalkeeper Matt Turner and Robinson at center back, the USA defense continued to play lights out, keeping a clean sheet vs. Mexico. Robinson and Turner are the only two U.S. players to play every minute of all six matches at the Gold Cup. Turner denied Mexico’s Rogelio Funes Mori on three occasions in the first half alone, including a fantastic diving save early on.

 

The USA weathered the early pressure and had its own chance to take the lead 26 minutes in. Sebastian Lletget picked off a defensive clearance and found Paul Arriola inside the box, but Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera came out to cut off Arriola’s angle, forcing his shot to hit off the right post.

 

The second half was more even, with both sides creating half-chances during swinging momentum shifts. However again and again, the final ball was just off in a hard-fought battle that saw 51 fouls called - including 31 on the USA – and the USMNT also blocking seven shots.

 

The USA had the last word in extra time, scoring the game-winner in the 117th as Robinson headed in Kellyn Acosta’s free kick to clinch the USA’s second trophy of the summer. It was the USA’s third-straight game-winner to come with less than seven minutes to play and marked the latest USMNT goal in USA-Mexico history.

 

The USA now shifts its focus to the start of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying next month. The USMNT begins its quest for Qatar on Sept. 2 at El Salvador, plays Canada on Sept. 5 in Nashville and closes the FIFA window on Sept. 8 at Honduras.

 


GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

 

USA – MILES ROBINSON (KELLYN ACOSTA), 117th minute: Mexico’s Edson Alvarez was shown a yellow card following a challenge on Nicolas Giaocchini near the left touchline. Acosta took the ensuing free kick, sending a dangerous ball into the box for Miles Robinson. The defender beat Alvarez in the air to head in the game-winner from seven yards out for his third career international goal. USA 1, MEX 0

 

 

KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYS AND SAVES:

 

USA - MATT TURNER, 11th minute: Mexico had the game’s first clear chance, but Matt Turner was up to for the test. Jesus Corona sent in a corner from the right, finding Rogelio Funes Mori unmarked just beyond the penalty mark. Funes Mori put a solid header on frame towards the right post, but Turner dove quickly to his left and pushed the ball wide with a strong left-handed save.

 

MEX - ALFREDO TALAVERA, 74th minute: Kellyn Acosta whipped a dipping free kick from the left side into the six, where Gyasi Zardes could not connect but kept the ball alive. It fell to Paul Arriola, who got a shot off at the doorstep, but Talavera threw himself forward, blocking the shot from close range with his back as he fell to the ground.

 


ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  • Gregg Berhalter made four changes to the squad from Thursday’s semifinal against Qatar, inserting defenders George Bello and Reggie Cannon, midfielder Eryk Williamson and forward Gyasi Zardes.

  • Tonight’s Starting XI had an average age of 24 years, 236 days. It’s the second-youngest USMNT lineup in a tournament final, coming in behind the squad that began the Concacaf Nations League win against Mexico on June 6 (24 years, 206 days).

  • Appearing in his third straight Gold Cup Final, Paul Arriola captained the USMNT for the second time tonight. He first wore the armband in the 1-0 quarterfinal win against Jamaica on July 25.

  • Reggie Cannon started his second-straight Gold Cup final, while Gyasi Zardes appeared in his third-straight.

  • Midfielder Kellyn Acosta was the only starter who also started last month’s Concacaf Nations League Final triumph against Mexico on June 6 in Denver. Both Reggie Cannon and Sebastian Lletget came off the bench in that match.

  • Acosta appeared in his 14th consecutive match for the USA tonight. He’s the only player to appear in each of the USA’s 13 games in 2021.

  • The USMNT is 26-6-3 in 35 matches under Gregg Berhalter, and 11-1-0 in the Gold Cup. Berhalter is now tied with Steve Sampson (26-22-14; 52 games) for fifth in wins among USMNT head coaches.

 

-U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report-

 

Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Mexico

Date: August 1, 2021
Competition: 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup – Final

Venue: Allegiant Stadium; Las Vegas, Nevada

Attendance: 61,514

Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. local

Weather: 97 degrees; clear

 

Scoring Summary:   1          2          OT1     OT2     F         

USA                            0          0          0          1          1         

MEX                            0          0          0          0          0         

 

USA –Miles Robinson (Kellyn Acosta)                       117th Minute

 

Lineups:

USA: 1-Matt Turner; 2-Reggie Cannon (20-Shaq Moore, 65), 16-James Sands, 12-Miles Robinson, 21-George Bello (3-Sam Vines, 65); 19-Eryk Williamson (6-Gianluca Busio, 87), 23-Kellyn Acosta, 17-Sebastian Lletget (10-Cristian Roldan, 66); 7-Paul Arriola (Capt.) (8-Nicholas Gioacchini, 87), 9-Gyasi Zardes, 13-Matthew Hoppe (24-Henry Kessler, 120+1)

Substitutes not used: 18-Sean Johnson, 22-Brad Guzan, 4-Donovan Pines, 11-Daryl Dike, 14-Jackson Yueill, 15-Jonathan Lewis

Head coach: Gregg Berhalter

 

MEX: 1-Alfredo Talavera; 21-Luis Rodriguez, 2-Nestor Araujo, 15-Hector Moreno (Capt.) (3-Carlos Salcedo, 44), 23-Jesus Gallardo; 16-Hector Herrera, 4-Edson Alvarez, 6-Jonathan Dos Santos (14-Erick Gutierrez, 76); 10-Orbelin Pineda (24-Rodolfo Pizarro, 76), 11-Rogelio Funes (9-Alan Pulido, 105) Mori, 17-Jesus Corona (5-Osvaldo Rodriguez, 90)

Substitutes not used: 12-Rodolfo Cota, 20-Jonathan Orozco, 7-Erick Sanchez, 8-Kevin Alvarez, 13-Alan Cervantes, 18-Efrain Alvarez, 19-Gilberto Sepulveda

Head coach: Gerardo Martino

 

Stats Summary: USA / MEX

Shots: 14 / 22

Shots on Goal: 5 / 5

Saves: 5 / 4

Corner Kicks: 6 / 11

Fouls: 31 / 20

Offside: 1 / 4

Misconduct Summary:

MEX– Hector Herrera (Caution)                     72nd minute

USA – Kellyn Acosta (Caution)                      113

MEX – Jesus Gallardo (Caution)                   114

MEX – Edson Alvarez (Caution)                    117

 

Officials:

Referee: Hector Said Martinez (HON)

Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez (HON)

Assistant Referee 2: Henri Pupiro (NCA)

4th Official: Mario Escobar (GUA)

VAR: Drew Fischer (CAN)

Budweiser Man of the Match: Matt Turner