US strength in depth and Canadian promise: what we learned from the Gold Cup

The tournament was overshadowed by the Euros and Olympics but there were valuable lessons - and encouraging signs heading into World Cup qualifying

Climaxing in the middle of the Tokyo Olympics and coming at the end of a summer soccer calendar headlined by the European Championship and the Copa America, the 2021 Gold Cup had to fight for attention.

But the final, at which Miles Robinson's 117^th-minute header gave the United States a 1-0 extra-time victory over Mexico, delivered drama and intrigue to match anything the sporting schedule has provided in recent weeks.