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SPORTS Tuesday 9 July 2019

U.S. men fail to follow women, lose Gold Cup final to Mexico

By RONALD BLUM monished for.
AP Sports Writer CONCACAF general sec-
CHICAGO (AP) — The retary Philippe Moggio and
U.S. men’s soccer players spokesman Alvaro Urrutia
showed how far, far behind did not respond to an email
they are the women. seeking comment.
Hours after the American Mexico scored on a move
women won their fourth started by Dos Santos, who
World Cup, the men were plays in Major League Soc-
outplayed by Mexico in the cer for the LA Galaxy. He
CONCACAF Gold Cup fi- passed the ball to Rodolfo
nal. Jonathan Dos Santos Pizarro, who switched from
scored in the 73rd minute the left flank to the right
to give the El Tri a 1-0 vic- in the second half. Pizarro
tory Sunday night. crossed in the penalty area
Star Christian Pulisic and where Raúl Jiménez played
captain Weston McKennie a back-heel pass to Dos
both left Soldier Field with- Santos, who had continued
out speaking to reporters his run. His left-footed shot
about the latest setback went by the outstretched
to a program still trying to arm of Steffen for just his
rebound from its failure to third goal in 46 internation-
qualify for last year’s World al appearances.
Cup. “We couldn’t quite find the
“Over the course of 90 min- Mexico midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos (6) celebrates with teammates after scoring his first goal first pass to get out in cer-
utes, Mexico was the bet- against the United States during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match tain moments,” midfielder
ter team,” Gregg Berhalter in Chicago, Sunday, July 7, 2019. Michael Bradley said. “Ob-
said after his first tourna- Associated Press viously then you get a little
ment as U.S. coach. “What the best U.S. player, using the field.” France, was overwhelming- bit tired, and they start to
we lacked was I think some bursts of speed and cutting McKennie, coming off ly pro-American as the U.S. gain some momentum, ob-
of the calmness, some of ability to create chances, an excellent season with beat the Netherlands 2-0 viously. It culminates with
the composure.” but he rarely touched the Schalke in the Bundesliga, earlier in the day, El Tri sup- them getting them the
Despite missing their top ball in the second half. The was given the captain’s porters in green, white and goal.”
three forwards, El Tri had 20-year-old midfielder was arm band for the first time red in the crowd of 62,493 Bradley was among four
58% possession, outshot the given the tournament’s but was largely ineffective. made Solider Field seem holdovers in the starting
U.S. 20-10 and won their best young player award “I’m not going to com- like Mexico City’s Estadio lineup from the 11 who be-
eighth Gold Cup title to six after scoring three goals ment on his individual per- Azteca. Whenever Ameri- gan the October 2017 loss
for the U.S., which dropped with three assists. formance,” said Berhalter, can Zack Steffen took a at Trinidad and Tobago
to 1-5 in Gold Cup finals “His contribution to the who also praised McKen- goal kick, there were loud that cost the U.S. a World
against its biggest rival. team this tournament was nie for his play earlier in the chants of “puto,” an anti- Cup berth, joined by Pulisic,
Days before he reports to fantastic,” Berhalter said. tournament. gay slur Mexican fans re- midfielder Paul Arriola and
Chelsea, Pulisic was by far “Both sides of the ball. Off While the crowd in Lyon, peatedly have been ad- forward Jozy Altidore.q

Rapinoe by Infantino a day earlier,
Rapinoe rebuked the head
Continued from Page 17 that emerged during the of soccer’s governing body
World Cup. for disrespecting women as
But only after the introduc- “Megan should WIN first be- the prize-money gulf wid-
tion of French President fore she TALKS!” President ens with the winners of the
Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump responded men’s World Cups.
FIFA counterpart Gianni In- in tweet that lit up the tour- Rapinoe chose not to con-
fantino for the on-field tro- nament. “Finish the job!” front Infantino on the field.
phy presentation was fol- When the job was finished “There was a wry smile, for
lowed by boos and chants Sunday, thanks to Rose sure,” she said. “He knows.
of “equal pay” — thou- Lavelle also scoring, only He did say we’ll have a
sands taking up Rapinoe’s congratulations came conversation or something.
campaign for more equi- from Trump — for the entire I said, ‘I’d love to.’”
table prize money from the team. Rapinoe has something to
World Cup organizers and In the hours before the United States’ Megan Rapinoe celebrates after scoring the be thankful to Infantino for:
opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women’s World
compensation from the Americans won a record Cup final soccer match between US and The Netherlands at the the introduction of VAR,
U.S. federation. fourth World Cup, Rapi- Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July which has had a disrup-
“A little public shame nev- noe found an advocate 7, 2019. tive debut in women’s soc-
er hurt anyone,” Rapinoe for the pursuit of greater Associated Press cer as referees and players
said with a winners’ medal pay equality in the French to $440 million when the $30 million prize pot but have adjusted to the new
around her neck. “So I am president.“We need to go women’s teams will only lagging the $38 million technology. Replays con-
down with it.” progressively toward that,” split $60 million in 2023. earned by France for lifting firmed Dutch defender Ste-
Not down with a visit to the Macron said. “We should This time, it is only half that. the men’s trophy last July in fanie van der Gragt’s high
White House, though, with progressively converge.” Victory gave the Ameri- Moscow. challenge on striker Alex
Rapinoe’s rejection of a That is undermined by the cans $4 million — double On the eve of the final, sit- Morgan and Rapinoe took
post-tournament visit de- prize money for the men’s the amount earned four ting in the same news con- on penalty duties for her
livered publicly in a video World Cup in 2022 jumping years ago — as part of a ference position occupied 50th international goal. q