USMNT and Mexico Stars Unite: Dream Team for Gold Cup Final Showdown

North America's most intense soccer rivalry returns to center stage as the United States Men's National Team and Mexico prepare to battle in the 2025 Gold Cup championship match.

While neither squad has delivered truly dominant performances throughout the competition, both the USMNT and Mexico have demonstrated resilience and justified their reputation as the continent's elite teams by reaching the final. The stage is now set at NRG Stadium for another chapter in this storied rivalry.

This represents the final official encounter between these two nations before they jointly host the 2026 World Cup. Given this context, both the USMNT and Mexico will be motivated to display their capabilities and secure additional hardware ahead of next summer's global tournament.

The stakes couldn't be higher in North America's premier international competition. Individual players will seek to make their mark, but which athletes would earn selection in a hypothetical combined starting eleven?

Here's Sports Illustrated's merged XI in advance of the USMNT and Mexico's Gold Cup final showdown.

USMNT vs. Mexico Combined XI (4-2-3-1)

GK: Matt Freese— The New York City FC shot-stopper has established himself as a standout performer during the Gold Cup. While recording just two shutouts thus far, he's been crucial to the USMNT's journey to the championship game, making three penalty saves in the quarterfinal round. Pochettino may have discovered his new first-choice keeper.

RB: Alex Freeman— Freeman has provided consistent quality along the right side for the USMNT. He's been dependable and has featured in all but two minutes throughout this summer's competition.

CB: César Montes— The Lokomotiv Moscow defender has delivered a perfect tournament at the back while also pacing Mexico with three strikes in the tournament.

CB: Chris Richards— Richards has excelled recently, anchoring the USMNT's defensive line and establishing himself as a genuine leader under Pochettino. He netted a crucial goal in the 1–0 victory against Saudi Arabia during group play.

LB: Jesús Gallardo— Gallardo has been a mainstay for El Tri throughout the last ten years and continues delivering steady performances down the left side, contributing both defensively and offensively.

CM: Edson Álvarez— El Tri's skipper excels in midfield battles and relentlessly covers territory while serving as a dependable option to initiate attacks. A genuine defensive midfielder.

CM: Tyler Adams— The Bournemouth player has seen limited action during the competition, but the USMNT's finest moments have occurred with their midfield commander on the field.

RW: Diego Luna— The Mexican-American has operated primarily on the left side but possesses the versatility to feature on both flanks. Luna has enjoyed an exceptional tournament, netting three times in elimination matches including a double against Guatemala in the semifinals.

AM: Malik Tillman— The PSV Eindhoven talent has emerged as the USMNT's most impactful offensive player in the Gold Cup. He's contributed to scoring in each of the last three matches and has accumulated three goals plus two assists throughout the competition.

LW: Alexis Vega— Last season's top performer in Liga MX has carried that excellence into the Gold Cup. Vega has consistently ranked among Mexico's standout players; drifting inside from the left wing, he's been dangerous with his excellent combination play and precise right-footed delivery.

ST: Raúl Jiménez— The experienced forward continues his remarkable El Tri career resurgence. Jiménez serves as the centerpiece of Mexico's offensive approach due to his well-rounded skill set. His strike in the semifinal against Honduras has positioned El Tri within reach of successfully defending their Gold Cup crown.