They weren’t perfect and they had a few fortunate calls go their way but the history book will show Mexico as the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions. Mexico won by defeating Jamaica 3-1 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to a capacity crowd of 68,930. Mexico will face the USMNT on October 9 at a yet to be determined location (likely Rose Bowl) in a playoff to decide who represents CONCACAF in the Confederations Cup.
It really did look like Jamaica was going to compete against Mexico and make it a good game but throughout the competition, goalkeeper Ryan Thompson looked uneasy between the pipes and was having other thoughts in his head keeping him from doing his job. Let’s be fair to the situation though, when you see these goals, it wasn’t all Thompson’s fault. These goals scored by Mexico just came from defensive lapses by Jamaica and there was mostly nothing that Thompson could do.
Eventually, after 31 minutes, the dam burst for Mexico and they began scoring goals. The first was this wonder strike by Andres Guardado. His left footed volley from about 10 yards out (in very open space) gave Mexico the lead and it wasn’t something they were willing to give up.
Goal MEX – No.18 @AGuardado18 – JAM 0-1 MEX #GoldCup2015 #CopaOro2015 @ItsTheJFF @miseleccionmx http://t.co/7f5Df3fijX
— CONCACAF (@CONCACAF) July 27, 2015
Goal number two took place right as the game started the second half. In the 47th minute, Jesus Corona scored his first international goal to make it 2-0. If there was any hope Jamaica could come back, it was getting further and further away from happening.
Goal MEX – No.9 @Chuycorona25 – JAM 0-2 MEX #GoldCup2015 #CopaOro2015 @ItsTheJFF @miseleccionmx http://t.co/meICSN0fng
— CONCACAF (@CONCACAF) July 27, 2015
Mexico really had their eye on the prize and they finished it out in the 61st minute. Oribe Peralta took advantage of a misplayed ball by Michael Hector and Peralta took advantage to make it 3-0 and virtually unreachable for Jamaica to win.
Goal MEX – No.19 @OribePeralta – JAM 0-3 MEX #GoldCup2015 #CopaOro2015 @ItsTheJFF @miseleccionmx http://t.co/j7zuxgY7oa
— CONCACAF (@CONCACAF) July 27, 2015
Having said that, Jamaica did get a goal back in the 80th minute with Darren Mattocks subbing on and taking things into his own hands to score. While he scored though, the damage was done and Mexico won their 10th Gold Cup title. The title also very likely saved Miguel Herrera’s job as manager of the Mexican National Team. All in all, while Mexico wasn’t a dominating force throughout the tournament, they performed well at the right time and were no doubt the best team in the Final.
