Matt Freese, the U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper, has yet to step onto the pitch for a USA-Mexico match, but he reflects on his childhood dreams of not just participating in such games, but winning them.
As the U.S. prepares for the Concacaf Gold Cup Final against their fiercest rival, Mexico, Freese expressed the team’s ambition: “We didn’t come here to be a second-place team,” he stated confidently.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, July 6, at NRG Stadium in Houston at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast on FOX.
Freese is one of seven players who have started in the tournament for the U.S., and this match will mark their first encounter with El Tri in a competitive setting. Historically, USA-Mexico meetings in the Gold Cup have always been rife with intensity, and the rivalry adds an extra edge to this final.
Yet, the team boasts experienced players like center backs Tim Ream and Chris Richards, who have significant experience in this competitive atmosphere. Freese noted the importance of leaning on their veterans for guidance as they prepare for the upcoming battle.
Ream acknowledges that the rivalry heightens the stakes. “It’s more intense, it’s more pressure. The atmosphere is greater. It’s really all you can tell them until we walk out, run out for warm-ups, and you feel that the buzz in the air,” he explained.
The seasoned defender shared a memorable Gold Cup moment from 2019, where the U.S. faced Mexico in the final at Soldier Field in Chicago. Ream recalled the exhilaration of emerging from the tunnel, spurred on by the presence of numerous Mexico fans. He emphasized that this massive environment should invigorate, not intimidate, the U.S. players. Unfortunately, in that match, the U.S. fell short, losing 1-0 to Mexico after Jonathan dos Santos scored late in the game.
Richards also brings his own experiences to the table, recalling the chaotic 2023 Concacaf Nations League Semifinal, which involved red cards and heightened emotions from both sides. He advised his teammates on the importance of discipline and smart play, noting that remaining on the pitch is crucial to securing victory.
Midfielder Diego Luna, drawing from his Mexican American background, shared that USA-Mexico matches hold special significance for him. Growing up, his family celebrated these clashes with a mix of enchiladas and hamburgers, creating a vibrant atmosphere fueled by rivalry.
Half of Luna’s family supported the U.S. while the other half cheered for Mexico, making for passionate family gatherings during the games. He expressed excitement about participating in a game that is deeply rooted in his upbringing.
“You’re going to have these emotions. It’s how you grow up. It’s part of your family. It’s in your blood,” Luna noted, acknowledging the emotional weight he carries. As the final approaches, he remains focused, stating, “I’m going to give 100% for the jersey that I’m wearing, and I’m super excited to go out there and play in a game that I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.”
This Sunday, Mexico seeks to defend their title after besting Panama in the 2023 Gold Cup edition. This face-off in the final marks the eighth time the U.S. and Mexico have clashed for the coveted trophy, solidifying it as the ultimate test of rivalry.
“If you’re not ready for the Mexico game, I don’t think you’ll be ready for any game,” Richards concluded, encapsulating the weight of the impending match.
image source from：ussoccer
