Last night marked the last time that the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team will play a competitive game before that huge tournament. The U.S. came up short, losing 2-1 in the final of the Gold Cup against Mexico, a match that wasn’t even as close as the score suggests.

Mexico is the defending champion and has the most Gold Cup titles, but the US brings a five-game winning streak into the title game in Houston.

The United States won all five games leading into the finals, needing penalties to win its quarterfinal before hanging on against Guatemala to reach the finals. It's star player, Diego Luna, formerly played for the El Paso Locomotive in 2021. Mexico won its group with two wins and a tie, then beat Saudi Arabia and Honduras to make the finals.