Mexican national team's victory is demeaned by David Faitelson: "He claims they defeated the US B-side team"
In the heat of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, veteran sports journalist David Faitelson, writing on his official X account, made comments that stirred controversy surrounding the Mexican National Team's performance. His remarks, though not directly addressing the Gold Cup title itself, urged veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to consider retiring from the national team, highlighting the need for renewal amidst the ongoing tournament.
Faitelson's commentary added fuel to a broader critical media narrative about Mexico's Gold Cup performance, describing the team as uninspiring and underwhelming despite narrow wins such as the 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic. This tone of dissatisfaction mirrored Faitelson's and other analysts' views that Mexico's play had been far from convincing, contributing to the debate around the national team's form and future direction during the competition.
Despite his initial scepticism, Faitelson later acknowledged that Mexico improved footballer-wise and deserved to win the Gold Cup, having defeated the United States (1-2) in the final, played at the Houston Texans' home stadium. The goals for Mexico were scored by Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez.
Throughout the tournament, the Mexican National Team's main strength lay in set pieces. However, in the final match, they found themselves trailing early when the team coached by Mauricio Pochettino took the lead in the 4th minute of the first half. But the team coached by Javier Aguirre managed to come from behind, equalising the score during the match.
Faitelson's comments, while sparking criticism, also emphasised the importance of the Mexican National Team continuing to improve towards the next World Cup. He acknowledged that it is positive for Mexico to continue building on a winning path, having defended its crown as the current champion, winning its tenth Gold Cup trophy at the NGR Stadium in Houston.
Despite his criticisms, Faitelson's initial downplaying of the Mexican National Team's Gold Cup win, stating they were beating the 'B' team of the United States, was proven incorrect as Mexico demonstrated their prowess on the field, securing a well-deserved victory.
Faitelson's acknowledgment of Mexico's football improvement and their eventual Gold Cup win highlighted the team's potential in upcoming sports competitions, such as the States' World Cup. The debatable win over the United States showcased Mexico's set-piece strength, especially evident in Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez's goals.
