It was an electrifying final held last night (Italian time) at the NGM Stadium in Houston, between the United States and Mexico. At stake was the 18th edition of the Gold Cup, or Copa Oro

For 23 fleeting minutes, the USMNT was atop CONCACAF. But it succumbed to a Mexican comeback, and, in the end, a better team. So it settled for second place at the Gold Cup.

HOUSTON — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino faulted match officials for three key calls in the Americans’ 2-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup final loss to Mexico on Sunday night, saying they wouldn’t allow a video review to deny an El Tri goal for the third time in the tournament.