As the two teams come out for Sunday's Gold Cup final match many in the stadium will be disappointed, having already purchased their tickets in the hope that the US team would line up alongside Mexico to battle for CONCACAF bragging rights.
The fact that the competition is being held in the US and the majority of the fans were waiting for a US victory makes Jamaica's achievement in reaching the final all the more impressive.
With 14 of their 23-man squad having featured in June's Copa America tournament and having overcome the hosts in their Semi-Final, Jamaica have shown real character in progressing into their first Gold Cup Final. The Caribbean side will be fully confident that they can go a step further and upset an uninspired Mexico side that has relied on luck to reach Sunday's showpiece.
Jamaica have impressed throughout the tournament and midfielder Jobi McAnuff summed up the feeling off positivity among the Jamaica squad after their shock Semi-Final victory over the US.
McAnuff, speaking after the game, said: "You know, massive underdogs coming into the tournament, no one gave us a chance of getting out of the group - one estimate was two points and fourth place - [but] we won the group and then we've come through. But it's not done yet, we've got a final to go and win now."
Their opponents Mexico, however, will still go into the Final as favorites, despite never fully impressing throughout the tournament. Stuttering performances and fortunate penalties gave them victories over Costa Rica and Panama in their previous two rounds.
Having relied on two lucky penalties to overcome Panama in an ill-tempered Semi-Final, Mexico know they must improve if they are to capture their seventh Gold Cup.
Mexican manager Miguel Herrera said after the match: "This is not the ideal situation, it wasn´t the ideal way to win. We didn't produce football."
Captain and star man Andres Guardado has been Mexico's best player and saving grace during the tournament, however, Herrera will be hoping that playmaker Giovanni Dos Santos can return from injury to give the Aztecs an extra edge going forward.
For the fans that pile into the Lincoln Financial Field the question will remain: Can this Jamaica team complete an unlikely victory to claim their first ever Gold Cup trophy?
If they can, the US and Mexico could find themselves with a new challenger to their CONCACAF domination. Given Mexico's poor form and lack of cohesion, the Reggae Boyz could be entering into Sunday's Final match with a new and exciting feeling in the back of their minds. Expectation.
When: Sunday 26 July
Where:Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Kick-Off: 19:30 Eastern Time
Live Stream: Live Soccer TV FoxSoccer2Go
TV: Fox Sports 2
Prediction: Jamaica to finish their incredible Gold Cup campaign by edging out Mexico to lift their first ever Gold Cup trophy.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
