For 23 fleeting minutes, the USMNT was atop CONCACAF. But it succumbed to a Mexican comeback, and, in the end, a better team. So it settled for second place at the Gold Cup.

There has been growth in midfield and attack during the camp so far but it still needs to be shown in defense ahead of facing a tough Mexico squad. This is where Pochettino's tactics come into play to guide the USMNT past this challenge.

The region's greatest international soccer rivalry will renew when the USMNT squares off against Mexico in the Gold Cup final on Sunday, July 6.