A Night to Forget: Tim Ream Breaks Silence On USMNT's Gold Cup Loss

The 2025 Gold Cup Final did not go as planned for the USMNT after a brilliant start to the game. Mexico came back after the USMNT took a 1-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game.

The loss is more sour since it comes against their fiercest rivals in the region. Mexico went back-to-back in the Gold Cup and has won its tenth trophy, while the USMNT sits on seven.

USMNT captain Tim Ream was visibly disappointed after the game and gave his take on the game against Mexico in the final. This was the USMNT's first competitive loss against Mexico since 2019.

Mexico also has two wins in a row against the USA in nine months, after beating Team USA in a 2-0 friendly win in October that was played in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Tim Ream after the USMNT loss in Gold Cup Final 

Tim Ream spoke with Fox Sports after the game and gave his thoughts on the USMNT's recent loss against Mexico. He expressed his frustration with his team's performance in terms of managing the ball.

Tim Ream: "A little bit of calm in some moments. We started really well, but they had a good spell to end the first half. We needed calmness when we won the ball. Overall, we're disappointed to not come away with a win."

Ream was under controversy with his words ahead of the Gold Cup Final. The captain of the USMNT was shaming those who doubted the team in reaching the Gold Cup final this summer, despite missing key players.

What is next for the USMNT?

The road to the 2026 World Cup is upon Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. players. After failing to win the Gold Cup, the USMNT will depend on friendly matches to prepare for the World Cup.

The USMNT has two friendly matches scheduled in September. Team USA will take on South Korea and Japan in early September

USMNT in September

• USA vs South Korea - September 6 
• USA vs Japan - September 9

Former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas thought of a positive for Pochettino and the team moving forward. Ahead of the World Cup next year, Lalas believes Pochettino will begin to choose the roster for next summer.

With players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie set to be called up for future USMNT games, the ideal squad Pochettino will pick for the World Cup will start to take shape soon.

Alexi Lalas: "There are no moral victories, but I think Mauricio Pochettino and his staff will find a whole lot of value from this summer. We might point back at players or moments from this competition."