USMNT soccer fans convinced Gold Cup final was 'rigged' for Mexico
By JAMES COHEN
Fans of the USMNT were left in disbelief after officials waved away a handball appeal during their Gold Cup defeat.
On Sunday night, Mauricio Pochettino's side were brushed aside by Mexico after a late goal from midfielder Edson Alvarez secured a historic 2-1 win.
Things could have been very different, however, after the USMNT thought that they would be awarded a spot-kick while the score was still level.
In the 66th minute - with the score tied at 1-1 - full-back Max Arfsten attempted to break through the Mexico defense but was prevented by Jorge Sanchez.
However, after winning the ball, Sanchez lost his footing and blatantly put his hand on the ball in order to regain his balance.
Despite the clear infringement, referee Mario Escobar waved play on and, in the end, Mexico went on to snatch the win and the title itself.
The USMNT were not awarded a penalty despite a Mexico defender handling the ball
USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino was left incensed by the decision to wave play on
After the dubious call, Mexico went on to score and sealed a historic Gold Cup title win
Footage showed USMNT manager Pochettino fuming with officials and pleading for an explanation as to why they were not awarded a penalty.
The former Tottenham boss, later, made his feelings clear in his post-match press conference. He said: 'I'm not going to cry. I want to tell the truth.
'And the truth is if that happened in the opposite half, in the other box, for sure it's a penalty'.
Fans on social media echoed the thoughts of Pochettino as they insisted that the match had been 'rigged' in Mexico's favor.
One user wrote: 'No mention of the obvious penalty?! The uncalled fouls on Agyemang? Come on man! The ref needs to be investigated.
'This game was rigged!! If you’re a reporter, you must report everything and cut off the pride and smile stuff. Of course USA was the better team!!'
Another wrote: 'VAR on Mexico’s game winning goal but not for this hilarious handball? Oh ok. S*** is so rigged'.
On the night, Mexico striker Raul Jimenez paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after scoring.
Fans were quick to claim that the Gold Cup had been rigged in Mexico's favour
Stars of the USMNT were overcome with emotion after the side fell to defeat in the final
Jimenez drew Mexico level in the 27th minute on Sunday night after Chris Richards had fired the USMNT ahead after just four minutes.
In the end Edson Alvarez proved the hero for El Tri at NRG Stadium in Texas when he popped up with the game-winning goal 13 minutes from time.
Jota, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, and his younger brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car accident close to the Portuguese border in northwestern Spain early Thursday morning.
Jimenez who played alongside Jota for two years at Wolves before the latter's move to Liverpool in 2020, marked his equalizing strike by sitting on the turf and recreating Diogo's trademark gaming celebration alongside a special No 20 jersey with his name on.
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