Soccer Monday: Mexico wins Gold Cup, Women's World Cup on the horizon and Miami's Messi mania
All the latest from this past weekend regarding the world's No. 1 game
Soccer is a sport that never slows down. While we’re a month away before Europe’s top leagues are back at it, the game continues to roll on.
On the menu this morning is the Gold Cup final, the United States embarking on another Women’s World Cup run and Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in history, now officially an Inter Miami player.
Sit back and enjoy this tasty trio of tidbits:
3. Mexico captures its ninth Gold Cup
Mexico lifted the Gold Cup on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium in suburban Los Angeles, defeating Panama 1-0 in what turned out to be a thrilling final.
Santiago Gimenez scored in the 88th minute after an electrifying sprint to give El Tri a record-extending ninth Gold Cup. The goal by the Argentine-born Gimenez, who came on as a substitute only three minutes earlier, set off a frenzied celebration.
The trophy came eight months after Mexico had its worst showing at a World Cup in 44 years. At this Gold Cup, Mexico conceded just two goals in six games and veteran Guillermo Ochoa was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
The team won under interim manager Jaime Lozano, who took over just a week before the start of the tournament and after Mexico finished a disappointing third at the CONCACAF Nations League.
SoFi Stadium, which is under consideration to host the World Cup final in 2026, put down natural grass for the Gold Cup final over the artificial turf.
2. USWNT aims for historic three-peat
The Women’s World Cup kicks off Thursday in Australia and New Zealand. Co-host New Zealand opens the tournament against Norway, while Australia plays Ireland. You can check out my tournament preview here.
The United States, the two-time defending champions, will be seeking to win an unprecedented third straight title and fifth in history. No nation in World Cup history — either men or women — have ever won three straight trophies.
It will be a tournament of several firsts. This upcoming Women’s World Cup will be held for the first time in two countries.
The tournament will also feature 32 teams — up from 24 in France four years ago — for the first time. The finalists are separated into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group reach the knockout stage.
The USWNT play their first match this coming Friday against Vietnam. The Americans will then play the Netherlands on July 26 and close out the group stage on Aug. 1 against Portugal.
1. Messi is here!
Following weeks of anticipation, Lionel Messi officially signed with Inter Miami over the weekend and unveiled in a glitzy presentation on Sunday that included fireworks at DRV PNK Stadium.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner smiled and waved to the crowd, telling the fans in Spanish: “I really want to win and for this club to keep growing.”
Inter Miami will need all his help. The team is rooted at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and winless in 11 straight games following their 3-0 defeat on Saturday to St. Louis City SC.
“Looking to the future, it is a dream to have the best player in the world on our team, but we have to have patience so he can be ready physically to play at the right moment,” Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino told reporters after the game.
The signing will also be a major boost for MLS and American soccer as a whole. Messi will make his Inter Miami debut on Friday against Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
In other news: Harry Maguire has been removed as Manchester United captain by manager Erik ten Hag. Maguire has been out of favour at Man United under Ten Hag, making just 16 appearances in the Premier League last season. … Italy defeated Portugal 1-0 in Sunday’s European Under-19 Championship. Michael Kayode’s scored the winning goal on a header in the 19th minute at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali, Malta. … The MLS All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The league’s best players will face Arsenal, who finished Premier League runners up to Manchester City last season.