The United States male national soccer team are champions of the CONCACAF Nations League. They knocked off Mexico and Canada in the semifinals and finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. The United States defeated Mexico by a score of three goals to zero in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League, continuing a streak of recent dominance over Mexico in soccer for the United States. They followed that performance with a two-to-nothing victory over Canada in the final to win the trophy.
Photo Cred: YouTube- Concacaf
Matt Turner received the best goalkeeper award. Christian Pulisic won the best player award after scoring two goals against Mexico. He was a vital part of the attack. Although Mexico had the edge over the United States, since the turn of the century, the United States has turned the tide on Mexico. Soccer is becoming more popular in the United States has not lost to Mexico since 2020, defeating their biggest soccer rivals four times and drawing with them twice.
This game between the two border rivals was extremely chippy and featured four red and ten yellow cards. Christian Pulisic had a few chances early in the game but had a potential goal sail over the net after getting around Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa and having a free-kick attempt saved by Ochoa on a diving save. He would not be denied by taking advantage of a mishandling by a Mexican defender, dribbling to the left of Mexico’s Sanchez, and kicking the ball past Ochoa inside the back right post in the 37th minute of the first half.
Photo Cred: CNN
Early in the second half, Weston McKinnie kicked the ball up ahead to find Timothy Weah. He crossed it to Christian Pulisic in front of the goal, and Pulisic scored his second goal. Mexico’s Cesar Montes got a red card for kicking Folarin Balogun in the shin, suit ups for Arsenal, and made his USMNT debut after playing for the England Under-21 team. A scuffle broke out between America and Mexican in which Weston McKinnie also got ejected with a red card for his role in the fight as he put his hands on a Mexican player. He left the field kissing the American soccer crest in a signature moment from the game.
Later in the game, Sergino Dest dribbled around the Mexican players and found a wide-open Ricardo Pepi scored the third goal for the United States after dribbling around Ochoa at the net. Two more red cards were issued, one to Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga and one to the United States Sergino Dest; the two got into a scuffle on the sidelines. Both sides finished the game with nine players, with two ejected from each side.
Photo Cred: CBS Sports
Unfortunately, multiple scuffles broke out. The game ended early after repeated homophobic chants from Mexican fans caused the referee to stop the match with about five minutes left in a twelve-minute stoppage time. Fans threw bottles on the field and ejected. However, the United States won the game and moved on to face Canada in the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.
The final was a less chippy and cleaner affair. Canada and the United States went at it on the pitch as well. Gio Reyna had to leave the match after being slid into by a Canadian defender. Chris Richards scored his first international goal for the United States in the twelfth minute. It came off a header off a corner kick from Gio Reyna. Reyna also assisted on the second goal, finding an open Folarin Balogun in front of goal in the 34th minute, and it was his first international goal for the U.S. as well.
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Photo Cred: Stars & Stripes
Canada had a few chances to score themselves later in the game. But U.S. goalie Matt Turner made many saves in the net. The United States defense helped keep the ball away from the goal. The United States also had many chances to increase the lead, but Canadain goalie Milan Borjan was incredible. The score remained at 2-0. Although Canada dominated the time of possession with 64%, they couldn’t get as many shots as possible on goal. The United States scored on two of its seven shots on target. Canada couldn’t score on any of their four attempts at Matt Turner.
Winning the Nations League is another step in the right direction for the United States. They can claim to be the kings of CONCACAF after defending their previous Nations League title. They won the Gold Cup in 2021. After finishing behind Canada and Mexico in World Cup qualifying, the United States advanced to the knockout stage. Canada and Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage. The United States won’t have too much time to celebrate.
Photo Cred: Sporting News
They will kick off their 2023 Gold Cup this Saturday. They battle Jamaica in their opening game of the group stage. They’ll attempt to defend their Gold Cup title to go two-for-two in CONCACAF tournaments this year. The future is bright in American soccer. Messi is coming to the MLS and the United States national team.
