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Ruben Neves remains a subject of much speculation during the summer transfer window with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly interested, but the Portuguese midfielder claims to be "completely focused" on events at Wolves.

A move away from Molineux could still be on the cards for the 24-year-old, with the next deadline not due to pass until August 31.

Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remain in the market for added creativity, with Neves said to be an option that both are considering due to his ability and Premier League experience.

What has been said?

Neves is aware of the rumours he is generating but, after a 2-1 pre-season win over Coventry, claims to be turning a deaf ear.

He told reporters: "When you want to play at the highest level of football you have to be ready.

"You need to be ready to have 30 days of holiday each season, that’s not a problem. It’s my job and I need to work hard. I had a great time with family and now I’m completely focused here, to be fit for the start of the Premier League. It’s about pre-season and hard work – getting fit for the Premier League. That’s the main thing.

"We are getting the ideas of the new coach and I think we are doing well. We have a lot to improve but I think we are doing a great job. We still have two weeks – it’s a good time to train and improve. Let’s go for it!

"We are working all together. The players from the national teams came back one week ago and you can see already the results on the pitch. 

"We’ll improve a lot in the two weeks in front of us and that’s the main target, improve as much as we can for the first game. It’s the Premier League and everyone knows every team is a hard game. Leicester will be a really good test for us.

"The main thing is to work hard in these two weeks to get completely concentrated on what we have to do, and fit to try and get the first three points of the season."

The bigger picture

Neves has been with Wolves since the summer of 2017, having been lured away from Porto.

He starred as promotion out of the Championship was secured in his debut campaign, with a reputation established for scoring spectacular goals.

Neves is now up to 176 appearances for the West Midlands outfit while earning 22 caps for his country, and is considered to still have plenty of potential to be unlocked.

Further reading

South Africa legend Lucas Radebe has urged Percy Tau to continue fighting for his position at Brighton & Hove Albion.

The striker has been used sparingly at the club but on Saturday, the Bafana Bafana attacker scored a superb goal in a pre-season friendly against Luton Town. 

The left-footed attacker was on the scoresheet as the Seagulls claimed a 3-1 win over the Championship side at Kenilworth Road. 

Tau went on a mazy run before dribbling past a defender and he fired into the far corner to extend his side's lead and it proved to be the final goal of the match. The forward came in as a substitute and media reports suggest he is considering leaving.

However, the former Leeds United captain has advised him on what he should do.

"I do not think Percy [Tau] must leave. I see no point in returning to Belgium because he has been there before," Radebe said as quoted by Sowetan Live .

"He is talented enough to play at Brighton. He must fight harder... show them he can do it."

The strike against Luton was his first for the club since signing for them in 2018. This is because the 27-year-old was on loan in Belgium for Union SG, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht in the past.

Radebe believes the goal on Saturday might impact him positively as the team prepares for the new Premier League campaign.

"That goal will build his confidence. He must never look back. This season must be the season he shows the world that he is a great player."

After netting his maiden strike, Tau expressed optimism that more goals will come .

"Hopefully [fans will] see more of it. That’s the one, that’s my celebration. Yeah, look I’m pleased it’s my first goal for the club, I’m so happy. I tried something and at the end of the day it worked out. 

"I saw an opportunity that I could score and I tried to do something and it happened. It worked out pretty well."

Jurgen Klopp will be giving Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez every chance of playing their way into contention for the Premier League season opener against Norwich, with the Liverpool boss hoping to get more minutes into his two returning centre-halves on Thursday.

The Reds will be back in friendly action later this week when they take on Bologna, with the countdown well and truly on to the trip to Carrow Road on August 14.

Liverpool will hope to be at full strength for the meeting with newly-promoted domestic rivals, with Van Dijk and Gomez looking to force their way into Klopp's plans after missing much of the 2020-21 campaign with serious knee injuries.

What has been said?

Asked by the Reds' official website whether he is planning on giving Van Dijk and Gomez game time against Bologna, Klopp said: "Hopefully, yes. That's how it looks in the moment. 

"I want to make it really clear, we push nothing. We just don't. We wait a little bit, the players come, we have now with Dr Andreas Schlumberger a real specialist who is in constant talks and always observing everything. 

"We know exactly how they feel – how they really feel and not what they tell us because they obviously are desperate to play again. Sometimes in moments we swap Virgil and Joe a little bit so maybe the intensity doesn't get too high, but in general it looks really good. 

"How many minutes on Thursday? I don't know, but there will be some minutes for sure."

Are Van Dijk and Gomez ready?

Two international defenders made their long-awaited returns for Liverpool in the 4-3 pre-season defeat to Hertha Berlin.

Van Dijk has not made a competitive appearance for the Reds since being forced out of the Merseyside derby with Everton on October 17, 2020.

Gomez lasted just one month longer than his Dutch colleague before seeing his season ended by an injury picked up while away on England duty.

Further reading

Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Gor Mahia have suffered a long-term injury scare after Geoffrey Ochieng was ruled out for up to eight months with an anterior cruciate ligament.

The former Western Stima full-back, who has established himself as an undroppable first-teamer for Gor Mahia since his arrival, will now miss the remaining matches of the 2020-21 season and probably the first round of the next campaign.

Gor Mahia's physiotherapist Musa Hamisi confirmed the star underwent surgery and has begun the journey to recovery:

"Ochieng has undergone ACL surgery and will be expected to stay out for six to eight months before returning to full fitness," Hamisi told the media.

"We look forward to seeing you back to your usual self soon. All the best to you as you start the journey to a complete recovery. You are in our thoughts and prayers," Philemon Otieno, Ochieng's teammate, posted on Facebook.

Ochieng was injured during their game against Kariobangi Sharks, which they lost 2-1, at Thika Stadium on July 21, when he landed awkwardly after a mid-air collision with an opponent.

Sammy Omollo, who is in charge of K'Ogalo on an interim basis, will now have to operate with a thin squad, especially in defence. Charles Momanyi is expected to officially leave when the season ends and is destined to sign for Tusker.

"I just decided to leave, it is the best way to maintain the good relationship we have had with the club. My policy is to maintain the friendship, and it is the reason why I am still on the good books of Kakamega Homeboyz," Momanyi said as he confirmed his status at Gor Mahia.

"Gor Mahia owe me a lot, but I have decided to write it off and go to a place where I am confident things will be good. Gor Mahia are currently struggling financially and I did not want to give them more stress."

Chelsea FC manager Thomas Tuchel has conceded the decision to play Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic as wing-backs was his plan B ahead of the Uefa Super Cup match against Villarreal.

The two played in that position as their team defeated Arsenal 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Blues are currently missing the services of Ben Chilwell, Emerson Palmieri, and Reece James who were given extended holidays after assignments with their national teams. Cesar Azpilicueta is still not physically fit while it is not clear whether Marcos Alonso is nursing an injury.

The game against the Spanish outfit is scheduled for August 11 at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland and the tactician has now pointed out his plans for the game.

"Yes, maybe [Pulisic will play in that position against Villarreal]," Tuchel told Hayters TV as quoted by The Chelsea Chronicle.

"He played there with me at Dortmund — and we have played many times like this with Callum [Hudson-Odoi]. Marcos [Alonso] was not able to play [on Sunday].

"So we put Callum on the left side which is what I had wanted to see for a long time if he could, maybe, be more dangerous from this position with his dribbling, coming inside — which he loves and he did it [against Arsenal].

The former PSG manager further explained why it was ideal to try the duo against the Gunners.

"You know our situation. We have [Azpi and Reece] for the right-back position, but both are not here," Tuchel continued.

"So we need to have solutions because we start on the 11th against Villarreal and 14th for the [Premier League] season. We [could] not try things then, so it’s the time to see."

The Champions League winners will be playing Tottenham Hotspur in another friendly match scheduled for July 4 before playing Villarreal. Their first league assignment will be on August 14 at home against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea teenager Tino Livramento is set to complete a £5 million ($7m) move to Southampton, Goal has learned, with Brighton missing out on the highly-rated youngster.

Goal confirmed back in July that the Seagulls were looking to put a deal in place.

They have however been pipped to the 18-year-old's signature by south coast rivals.

Why are Chelsea doing a deal?

Livramento has entered the final year of his contract in west London. He is being allowed to move on as a result, with Chelsea eager to bring in a fee while they still can.

The England U19 international will now become the second player to leave the Blues for Southampton this summer, with Dynel Simeu having already done likewise.

How did a deal happen?

The Saints have been monitoring Livramento for a while and have been biding their time before making an approach.

Talks with Chelsea were stepped up over the weekend, allowing an agreement that suits all parties to be reached.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been in the market for another versatile full-back option to bolster his ranks.

Livramento, who can play in a back four or as a wing-back, is now set to compete with the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and Romain Perraud for minutes.

He is yet to make a competitive debut at senior level, having only made the bench for Chelsea, but will expect that step to be taken with Southampton as he prepares to bid farewell to the club that has overseen his development since U9s.

Further reading

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted his concerns regarding midfielder Thomas Partey's injury.

The 28-year-old Ghanaian midfielder was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly after he suffered what looked like an ankle injury following a tackle from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The former Atletico Madrid player was then substituted for Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, who came on to score Arsenal’s lone goal in the match at Emirates Stadium.

“I just had a talk with the doctor,” Arteta told the club’s official website after the game.

“He's going to have a scan tomorrow [Monday] and at the moment it's not looking good because he was in pain and he could not continue which, for Thomas, is pretty unusual.”

The injury will be a huge blow for Partey, who did not enjoy a good start at Emirates after signing from Atletico at the beginning of last season after he was troubled with injuries.

In a recent interview, Partey discussed his first season at Arsenal.

"Well I think everybody has seen it, there’s been ups and downs. We’ve had good times and bad times, but this is my first season and I think I had to adapt to how they play, and get used to my teammates.

"I think now I’m getting used to them and I know with hard work everything will be okay for the next season.

"Of course, it’s not easy. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and if you want to be there you have to be able to do everything well. So I like this challenge and I’m ready to do everything."

Last season, the Black Star managed 33 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners and provided three assists, though he did not find the back of the net.

Partey will definitely miss Arsenal’s next friendly against Tottenham Hotspur on August 8 and also the Premier League season opener against promoted side Brentford away on August 13.

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs defender Jimmy Tau feels Amakhosi have reasons to be optimistic for the season ahead.

Chiefs had enjoyed the best chance of the game at the Orlando Stadium to score when Ntsikelelo Nyauza was ruled to have handled the ball in the box in the 74th minute and a penalty was awarded, only for Richard Ofori to pull off a super save to deny Daniel Cardoso.

After the 90 minutes had ended 0-0, Amakhosi held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out and triumphed 4-3.

It may have been an exhibition match in that the starting XI's had been selected by fan votes, while both teams also had numerous players missing for an array of reasons.

At the end of the evening though there was a trophy handover and celebrations. And with a new coach in charge this season in Stuart Baxter, and some promising signings made, Tau feels things are looking up for the 2021 Caf Champions League finalists.

"You ideally want to play this moment for the team as you prepare, because this is the moment you want them to go through consistently. And it's good that the new players coming in, they get to be introduced to a winning culture," he commented in the SuperSport TV studio.

"And it sets a tone which says, 'this is what we expect, this is what it takes to play for a club of this magnitude'.

"So with the new players coming in, with the new broom that is coming in with coach Stuart Baxter, you expect rejuvenation at Kaizer Chiefs and hopefully they can build from this.

"It also sends a message to all the other teams in the league and it's going to be an interesting season to look forward to."

Brandon Petersen, who made his debut after replacing Itumeleng Khune, made two crucial saves in the shoot-out.

Also debuting for the Glamour Boys were Kgaogelo Sekgota, Cole Alexander and Sifiso Hlanti. The club has also signed Keagan Dolly, Njabulo Ngcobo and Sibusiso Mabaliso.

U.S. men's national team boss Gregg Berhalter admitted that he really wanted to see his players rewarded by winning Sunday's Gold Cup as he hailed his "relentless" young team for finding a way to take down Mexico.

A late goal from Miles Robinson in extra time earned the 1-0 victory, giving the USMNT its second statement win over its top rivals this summer.

Having called in a squad without many of the program's European stars, the USMNT wasn't expected to go toe-to-toe with El Tri, but Berhalter said he always knew his young squad had what it took to emerge with a trophy.

What did Berhalter say?

"We were together for a month, and we just saw them growing," Berhalter said. "We saw the team growing, we saw individuals growing and improving, we saw the team chemistry growing. Before the final today, there was a feeling inside of me that I just wanted it so bad for them so they can taste this and they can win a trophy together.

"I'm really proud of the group, really proud of their resiliency, and, when you look at the game today, we did not stop. It was relentless from us, and that was a mark of a good team."

Berhalter, who was celebrating his 48th birthday on Sunday, helped the U.S. take down El Tri once again, following up on a Nations League win over Mexico back in June.

As a result, the U.S. will go into World Cup qualifying on a high, knowing that it has had two different squads beat its biggest rivals.

"It was the best birthday gift I could have gotten. I'm really proud of the guys but it wasn't for me; it was more for the players.

"I'm so excited for them so proud of them. I really wanted it badly for this group and we had a fantastic group in the Nations League that was able to win a trophy and to turn around and do it again with this group is a big accomplishment. 

"I can't say enough about their spirit and their hard work and their dedication."

What's next for the USMNT?

The U.S. will only have about a month to celebrate the Gold Cup triumph before the start of World Cup qualifiers.

Berhalter and Co. are set to open up with a trip to El Salvador on September 2 before hosting Canada in Nashville three days later.

The squad will finish out the first round on Sept. 8 with a trip to San Pedro Sula to face Honduras.

Further reading

Uganda international Bevis Mugabi was on target as Motherwell suffered their first defeat of the season going down 3-2 against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Kevin van Veen and Mugabi scored for the home team in the 12th and 29th minutes before Kyle Magennis, Christian Doidge and Martin Boyle won it for the visiting side with goals in the 17th, 56th, and 70th minutes respectively.

It was new signing Kevin van Veen who put Motherwell ahead in the 12th minute after finishing off a cross from Jake Carroll but Hibernian were level five minutes later after Magennis powered home from close range.

Mugabi, who was making a comeback to the team after recovering from his shoulder injury, then restored the home side’s lead in the 29th minute after Carroll delivered the ball from a free-kick and the Ugandan player hit it with his head. The ball bounced inside Matt Macey’s right-hand post and into the net.

With Motherwell heading into the half-time break enjoying a 2-1 lead, Hibernian returned for the second half with a different approach as they turned the game in their favour after Christian Doidge levelled the scores minutes after coming on in the 56th minute.

Jack Ross’ side then won the game in the 70th minute when Boyle rose to the occasion to score from the penalty spot after defender Stephen O’Donnell was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

Despite sustained late pressure from Mugabi’s Motherwell to snatch a draw from the game, Hibernian remained tight at the back to win the fixture at Fir Park.

It was a good display by Mugabi, who played alongside Ricki Lamie at the heart of the defence, and his performance could be good news for new Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches in September.

Mugabi was eligible to represent England or Uganda at the international level but he opted to feature for the East African nation and in August 2016, he was handed his first call up to the Cranes squad for their friendly against Kenya and their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Comoros.

Though Mugabi did not manage to play during the time after he was withdrawn from the squad by Yeovil Town, who cited the short notice of the call-up, he finally made his debut for Uganda on March 24, 2018, in their 3-1 friendly victory over Sao Tome and Principe.

In the World Cup qualifiers, the Cranes are pooled in Group E alongside Mali, neighbours Kenya and Rwanda.

Mauricio Pochettino refused to be drawn on Paris Saint-Germain's links to Paul Pogba, with the Argentine giving little away when it comes to supposed interest in the Manchester United midfielder.

The World Cup-winning France international continues to see a return to his homeland mooted after entering the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford.

PSG are one of few clubs that could afford to finance a move for the 28-year-old, but Pochettino is reluctant to be dragged into a debate with no official bid having been made.

What has been said?

Quizzed by 101GreatGoals on the links to Pogba after seeing PSG suffer a 1-0 Trophees des Champions defeat to Ligue 1 title holders Lille, Pochettino said: "You see the list of the players that we have at home, we have plenty of players. Half of the squad is at home. A few are on holiday. 

"I think the performance was good, I am happy, and I don’t want to talk about names of players who are in other clubs."

When did Pogba last play in France?

Pogba was born and raised on the outskirts of Paris, but left his homeland in 2009 to further his career elsewhere.

Having spent time with Lens, United snapped him up for their academy, and a senior breakthrough was made with the Red Devils before running down another contract and linking up with Juventus in 2012.

Four productive years in Italy saw Pogba's stock soar and he returned to England in 2016 as part of a record-breaking £89 million ($124m) transfer.

He has made 199 appearances for United since then, helping them to Europa League and Carabao Cup glory, but questions have been asked of his future for some time.

Further reading

Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic has addressed the rumours linking Aaron Ramsdale with Arsenal, insisting he is "not worried" about losing his No 1.

Arsenal are reportedly readying a £30 million ($42m) swoop for Ramsdale, with head coach Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his goalkeeping department after seeing Mat Ryan return to Brighton following a loan spell at Emirates Stadium.

However, new Blades boss Jokanovic wants to keep the core of his current squad intact in order to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, with Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge also attracting interest from a number of high profile suitors.

What's been said?

Jokanovic is confident both Ramsdale and Berge will remain at Bramall Lane for the 2021-22 season, telling The Yorkshire Examiner: "If you ask me if I will sell, no. I will be hurt if they leave my team. I understand this possibility exists but I hope that will not happen.

"I am not worried, I am happy with them and I trust they will stay with me and I trust they can be happy working with me and their Sheffield United team-mates."

Ramsdale's credentials

Ramsdale began his career at Sheffield in 2016, but was sold to Bournemouth a year later for a reported £1m fee.

The 23-year-old emerged as No 1 at Vitality Stadium, but after their relegation from the Premier League he returned to Bramall Lane in 2020.

He has since firmly established himself as Sheffield United's No 1 goalkeeper, and despite being powerless to prevent another relegation last season he earned a place in Gareth Southgate's England set-up for the European Championships.

Who else are Arsenal chasing?

Arsenal have already added Nuno Taveres, Albert Lokonga and Ben White to their ranks ahead of the new season, with it suggested that Ramsdale could be the final piece in the defensive puzzle for Arteta.

However, attacking reinforcements are also being sought and it has been reported that Inter's Lautaro Martinez is top of the Gunners' wish list.

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has also been touted for a possible switch to north London along with Leicester City star James Maddison, who is valued in excess of £50m ($70m).

Further reading 

Mexico head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has defended his approach in a 1-0 Gold Cup final defeat to the United States men's national team on Sunday, asking rhetorically why he should change tactics when, from his perspective, El Tri controlled the match.

Martino will be under fire following the second letdown to the USMNT in a final this summer, as the U.S. also won a heated Nations League clash against Mexico in June. The latest loss is particularly difficult for supporters to take, as he brought a much more experienced starting XI to the competition than his counterpart Gregg Berhalter.

El Tri created numerous goalscoring opportunities but also found themselves in trouble when their high defensive line was tested. The 117th-minute winner from the USMNT, however, came from a set-piece as Miles Robinson headed in a free-kick.

What has been said?

"We did not prepare to play [the USMNT] two and a half years in one way and then in the [Gold Cup final] in another way," Martino told reporters.

"I can't find the reason why we should change. We should consider that if the team had been overtaken for long periods of the match, but that did not happen in this final or in the previous [Nations League] final.

"It is true that we lost two finals, but the United States [hurt us] from set-pieces. We had great moments in the two finals where we defined the game. When we cannot convert goals from these situations, there is always a risk.

"The United States grew a bit in this game, and we know that a stopped ball can hurt us and that happened today."

Herrera won't lose sleep over criticism

Midfielder Hector Herrera understood the criticism El Tri will likely take in the coming weeks, but he said it did not concern him.

"The first feeling is sadness, it definitely hurts," Herrera said. "I think we're calm and okay though because we were dominant during the match, had a lot of chances, but just couldn't score.

"When we get criticized, I'm not going to lose sleep today or tomorrow. I don't agree with what you say, but when we don't get the results, fans have the right to express what they feel. You have to get used to that and today we have to support them, lift our chin up and continue forward."

Bigger picture

Mexico's hold of CONCACAF supremacy is in danger following back-to-back disappointments against a top rival.

Even Olympic gold this month would do little to alleviate the sense the USMNT is creeping up on El Tri - and perhaps surpassing them already - in the region.

Martino himself is going to be under intense fire as well as his squad enter World Cup qualifying action this fall in a set of matches that will include a Nov. 12 date with the Stars and Stripes.

Further reading

Sunil Chhetri is set to embark on his 20th season in professional football when the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) season kicks off later this year.

On the front of his senior international career with India, Chhetri has donned the national team colours in every single calendar year since making his debut 16 years ago. 

What is Bhaichung Bhutia's record that Sunil Chhetri can match next year?

Nicknamed 'The Sikkimese Sniper', Bhutia made his senior national team debut in 1995 and went on to record at least one appearance in every single calendar year for 17 straight years till his retirement from international football in 2011.

Sunil Chhetri has played for the country from 2005, making at least one appearance in every calendar year since. Should the India captain continue to play for India with an international cap in an official match through 2022, he will be able to match Bhutia's record of 17 straight years with an international cap.

Notable records of Bhaichung Bhutia that Sunil Chhetri has already broken?

Further reading:

A summer blessed by two intense tournament finals between the U.S. men's national team and Mexico concluded in thrilling fashion on Sunday, with center back Miles Robinson heading in the Gold Cup winner for the USMNT deep into extra-time.

Though the sides were significantly different than the ones that met one another for the chaotic Nations League final in June, the level of drama remained roughly the same. Robinson's goal set off a dogpile with teammates near the corner flag, wild celebrations in the stands and reactions on social media.

Goal has chronicled how the Gold Cup final went down.

Missed chances both ways

The fact the match even reached extra time was a shocker, as both teams created and missed phenomenal chances.

Paul Arriola had two of the best in regulation for the USMNT. Orbelin Pineda went close several times for Mexico.

Herrera escapes with yellow for high boot

El Tri midfielder Hector Herrera may have been fortunate to remain on the pitch after this second-half challenge...

USMNT wins it late through Robinson

The kids did it.

This wasn't supposed be the ending for the U.S. men's national team. This Gold Cup run was about "gathering information", about developing the next generation. Winning, in some ways, was initially secondary to learning.

But the U.S. managed both. Weakened roster? Inexperienced players? No matter. The Stars and Stripes are officially kings of CONCACAF these days.

If that wasn't clear after the U.S. A-Team took down a full-strength Mexico in June in the Nations League, it is now after a USMNT team loaded with second-string veterans and up-and-coming stars took down what was nearly a full-strength El Tri. Thanks to a last gasp goal after a hard-fought 120 minutes, the USMNT's youngsters reigned supreme once again.

This team played without Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna. But it did have Miles Robinson, whose incredible 117th-minute winner in the second half of stoppage time has etched him in toUSMNT lore forever. It had Kellyn Acosta, whose Man of the Match-worthy performance would make even N'Golo Kante blush.

It had Matt Turner, Matthew Hoppe, Gyasi Zardes, George Bello and plenty of others that led the way in what may just be the USMNT's most incredible Gold Cup run yet.

Kudos to head coach Gregg Berhalter, who believed the kids were ready to go toe-to-toe with the best El Tri had to offer. And kudos to those players for proving him right and proving that the U.S. player pool is deeper and more talented than ever before.

What a night this was in Las Vegas, even if several of those on the field are too young to embrace Sin City. What a night, what a performance, what a moment.

Sunday night's clash between the U.S. and Mexico was very different than their Nations League finale in June.

It didn't quite half the same spice, the same physicality, the same chaos. It didn't start with the fireworks of an early goal or the unpredictability of several team-wide brawls.

But, in the end, it had all excitement and, in the end, it had the same result.

The U.S. will thank Robinson for that as the Atlanta United defender's 117th-minute goal proved all they needed. An incredible ball in from Acosta, an even better header from Robinson. That was the moment defined this game and this tournament for a USMNT that just didn't quite understand what it was going up agianst.

This is a team that probably should have been here but probably shouldn't have done this. They escaped several games by the skin of their teeth, but Mexico was supposed to be a bridge too far. But they battled on and, even if they didn't come out victorious, they proved they were every bit Mexico's equal on the night.

As the game wore on, it became clear that this game would be there for the taking for both teams. The two sides traded chance after chance with neither team able to turn that chance into the game-changing goal.

Paul Arriola was on the end of several of those chances, with his first caroming off the post in the 26th minute. He had an even better opportunity in the 74th minute, when his shot from inside two yards was miraculously saved by Alfredo Talavera.

Not to be outdone, Mexico had plenty of looks of their own, with USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner foiling many of them with another star performance.

Missed chances aside, Sunday's game, by and large, went to plan for both managers. Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's side kept a vast majority of the possession and generally controlled the game. Berhalter's USMNT team, however, went for the rope-a-dope, saying strong defensively while trying to take advantage of a shaky Mexico back line.

And, in the end, those dueling gameplans and squandered opportunities produced extra time. And that extra time produced another classic end to another classic rivalry match.

That gives Berhalter's USMNT program a second signature moment in a matter of months. It gives these young players another building block going forward and it gives everyone involved with this program even more confidence heading into World Cup qualifying.

It's been several years since the USMNT had a moment like this. From the depths of that night in Trinidad and Tobago to the highs and lows of the rebuild that followed, it's been too long since the U.S. has had reason to feel this good.

And they have every reason to. With two very different teams with two very different groups of players, the U.S. went 2-0 against Mexico. Dos a Cero again. 

It was another feel-good night for the Kings of CONCACAF. And, if this night was any indication, it may just be the first of many.

Gregg Berhalter's U.S. men's national team lineup for Sunday's Gold Cup final against Mexico is the second-youngest lineup ever put forth by the U.S. in a tournament finale.

Berhalter made four changes from the semifinal win over Qatar, inserting defenders George Bello and Reggie Cannon, midfielder Eryk Williamson and forward Gyasi Zardes into the starting XI.

And, with an average age of 24 years, 236 days old, this XI is only bested by the one started in the Nations League finale against Mexico several weeks back, which started the game with an average age of 24 years, 206 days.

A closer look

Berhalter's XI features six players under the age of 25: Bello (19), Matthew Hoppe (20), James Sands (21), Cannon (23), Miles Robinson and Eryk Williamson (24).

The XI also features an average total of 19 caps, with that numbers heavily skewed by Zardes (62), Paul Arriola (39), Kellyn Acosta (37) and Sebastian Lletget (29).

Acosta is the only starter returning from the USMNT's Nations League final win over Mexico, while Arriola will captain the USMNT for the second time tonight as he plays in his third consecutive Gold Cup final.

As head coach, Berhalter is 10-1-0 in Gold Cup matches, with the only loss coming in the tournament finale to Mexico in 2019.

El Tri edged the U.S. 1-0 on the day behind a goal from Jonathan dos Santos, who earns the start for Mexico.

The Mexico XI

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, meanwhile, made only one change to his Mexico team that took down Canada in its semifinal clash.

Nestor Araujo has replaced Carlos Salcedo in defense after the Tigres star struggled in the semifinal, missing a penalty in the eventual win.

Further reading