USMNT vs Mexico: Luna Shrugs Off Underdog Label

USMNT vs Mexico will take center stage again on Sunday night, and Diego Luna wants everyone to know the Americans are not arriving in Inglewood wearing Cinderella’s glass slippers.

USMNT vs Mexico narrative fuels Luna’s fire

USMNT vs Mexico has generated endless column inches since the CONCACAF giants first collided decades ago. This latest chapter, the 2023 Gold Cup final, finds the Stars and Stripes carrying an “underdog” tag in some quarters because of injuries and a roster missing European regulars. Luna scoffs at the idea. “Let them say what they want,” the winger told reporters after his two-goal explosion in the 3-0 semifinal win over Guatemala. “We know the quality in this locker room. We expect to win.”

Diego Luna’s rapid rise

Only 21, Luna entered the tournament as a depth option but will start the finale after producing three goals and two assists in five matches. The Real Salt Lake starlet credits his club form for his confidence. “RSL gave me freedom to attack and I’m bringing that same energy to the national team,” he said. “Big games are where I feel most alive.”

Malik Tillman earns ‘dawg’ praise

Luna reserved special admiration for Malik Tillman, calling the PSV midfielder a “dawg” for his relentless pressing and line-breaking passes. “He’s my new friend,” Luna beamed. “The guy does so much dirty work that people don’t always see. It lets me stay high and hurt teams.” Tillman leads the team in chances created (14) and ranks second in progressive carries.

How the US plans to topple Mexico

Interim boss B.J. Callaghan has leaned on a high 4-3-3 press throughout the Gold Cup. Against Mexico’s slick double-pivot of Edson Álvarez and Luis Chávez, the U.S. midfield trio—Johnny Cardoso, Tillman and Gianluca Busio—will attempt to suffocate passing lanes early. Luna, who starts on the left, believes wide pressure will be decisive. “If we pin their full-backs deep, we win half the battle,” he explained.

Key tactical battles

• Left channel: Luna vs right-back Jorge Sánchez. Expect Luna’s quick feet and sudden shifts inside to test Sánchez, who can be overeager.
• Central press: Tillman shadowing Álvarez, denying Mexico’s metronome time to dictate tempo.
• Set pieces: Defender Miles Robinson has targeted weak near-post zones on corner routines, scoring twice already.

Head-to-head momentum

Since 2021, USMNT vs Mexico shows a remarkable tilt: four U.S. wins, two draws, zero defeats. The run includes the Nations League triumph in June and the 2021 Gold Cup final decided by Miles Robinson’s extra-time header. Mexico, under Jaime Lozano, is desperate to restore regional supremacy but faces a group of Americans who believe the psychological edge is theirs.

Quotes from both camps

Luna on external noise

“Call us underdogs, favorites, whatever. We live for games like this. Nothing else matters once the whistle blows.”

Mexico captain Edson Álvarez

“They’ve earned results lately, but finals are different. We respect Luna’s confidence. On Sunday we answer on the field.”

Injury updates and projected XIs

The U.S. lost striker Brandon Vázquez to a hamstring tweak, pushing Jesús Ferreira into the No. 9 role. Callaghan confirmed Chris Richards (ankle) remains day-to-day but optimistic. Mexico lists Uriel Antuna (calf) as questionable.
Projected United States XI: Turner; Scally, Robinson, Richards, Tolkin; Tillman, Cardoso, Busio; Weah, Ferreira, Luna.
Projected Mexico XI: Ochoa; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Álvarez, Chávez; Lozano, Giménez, Vega.

What a win would mean

USMNT vs Mexico finals often swing legacies. For the Americans, lifting back-to-back Gold Cups with essentially two different squads would underscore the nation’s ever-deepening talent pool ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. For Mexico, halting the U.S. streak would ease fan frustration after recent setbacks and renew belief in Lozano’s tenure.

Historical context

The Gold Cup final has featured USMNT vs Mexico seven times. El Tri leads the series 5-2, but the gap is closing fast. Luna references that arc when dismissing the “underdog” trope. “History shows the gap, results show the present,” he insisted. “The present is ours.”

Primary focus keyword impact on search

Fans Googling “USMNT vs Mexico lineup,” “USMNT vs Mexico prediction,” or “USMNT vs Mexico Gold Cup final” will find Luna’s rejection of the underdog label central to pre-match storylines. By vocalizing confidence, Luna reinforces U.S. swagger, making Sunday’s clash unmissable.

Broadcast information

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
TV: Fox (English), Univision (Spanish).
Streaming: Fox Sports App, FuboTV, ViX+.

Final thoughts

USMNT vs Mexico is more than a rivalry; it is CONCACAF’s heartbeat. Luna’s fearlessness, Tillman’s grit and a young core intent on rewriting history suggest the Americans could extend their dominance. Yet Mexico’s seasoned stars and gold-standard pedigree guarantee high drama. Sunday’s final promises fireworks, and whoever masters the moment will write the latest definitive chapter in North American football.

Opinion: The “underdog” narrative feels outdated. The U.S. now expects, not hopes, to beat Mexico. If Luna and Tillman maintain semifinal form, the trophy should stay north of the border.