The United States men's national team are now two for two in Concacaf Nations Leagues after winning their second consecutive title in the tournament by defeating Canada 2-0 on Sunday in Las Vegas. Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards both got their first goals for the USMNT in the final to pace the team as the result never looked in doubt, despite the team playing without Miles Robinson, Weston McKennie, and Sergino Dest all of whom started against Mexico in the semifinal match.
B.J. Callaghan had tough lineup decisions to make replacing the trio, but the one that made the biggest impact was playing Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson as dual box to box midfielders in front of Yunus Musah. While Reyna wasn't able to complete the match after picking up an injury right before halftime, he got two assists in the first half to help lead the team to victory. The USMNT has now won three consecutive federation trophies before kicking off the Gold Cup in their quest for a fourth on Saturday, June 24 against Jamaica.
Strength in depth is showing as the USMNT preaches that no matter what, the team has a next man up mentality and it showed in the match. Richards was involved in his second consecutive shutout and Joe Scally was able to make key defensive interventions when needed to protect Matt Turner. Even when Reyna went down at the half, Luca De La Torre came on and the team didn't miss a beat.
What they lacked going forward in attack without Reyna they made up with calm in the midfield. Canada had their chances but with players like Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin, that's expected, but what the USMNT did was limit those chances. Davies had to switch sides constantly to even find attacking space which is an impressive feat on any day. Ahead of key summers for many members of the roster like Balogun, Sergino Dest, and Christian Pulisic, winning the Nations League is the perfect way to kick off the summer.
The United States left no doubt in winning Concacaf Nations League with an excellent performance. Missing two-thirds of the starting midfield, depth was on display and the defense was impressive to keep a second consecutive clean sheet. With Balogun and Richards getting their debut goals, it again showed that this team is only getting better by each day.
The United States are only five minutes from winning their second Nations League title. While the team is tired, barring quite a collapse, the result won't be in doubt.
Auston Trusty will come on for Joe Scally to close out the game and there are now three center backs on the pitch. The expectation would be for Richards to move to the right.
Having scored in three straight games for the United States, Pepi will look to continue creating danger entering for Balogun with 16 mintues remaining. During the change, Joe Scally will also receive treatment after going in for a tackle on Alphonso Davies.
Canada have shown signs of life so not only is this a move to get fresh legs on the pitch but also to regain control of the match. The USMNT will begin needing to focus on managing the game as 20 mintues remain.
Tajon Buchanan is coming on for Canada but he won't be alone as Canada are making three substitutions to change around the attack. Alistair Johnston has left the match along with Jonathan Osorio and Scott Kennedy. Steven Vitoria and Sam Adekugbe have also entered.
There has been constant pressure and changes will need to happen as the United States has won another corner kick. A third goal could ice the game and Chris Richards came quite close to gabbing it by hitting the crossbar.
The change was made as De La Torre enters for Reyna in the second half. The USMNT will still look to be aggressive on the ball because Canada can score goals quickly.
After an excellent first half, Gio Reyna wasn't comfortable after a challenge from a Canadian defender so De La Torre is getting ready in case he's needed. While Reyna has two assists in the first half, he shouldn't be risked if he's not feeling 100% so it makes sense for Callaghan to get a player ready if needed.
Heading into the locker room with a 2-0 lead, the United States have dominated the first half. Balogun and Richards have both scored their first goals for the national team while Gio Reyna has pulled the strings centrally. The team's skills on the ball have shined and while Canada has had some moments to make the team worry the defense has bent but not broken. It feels like a team that is making strides to become the best in Concacaf.
Again Canada has gone for the attack but could not get past the USMNT defense. It seems likely that they'll head to the half down 2-0 as Alphonso Davies has been unable to impact the game from wide positions.
How appropriate that on his second cap, Balogun gets his first goal to put the United States up 2-0 in the first half. An excellent finish following a well-weighted pass from Gio Reyna. It's Reyna's second assist of the game as he has set up two first time goal scorers.
It has been a physical game and in only his second cap for the national team, Balogun is learning what Concacaf is about but will come back into the match. It's something to watch as the half goes on.
Laryea drove his pass into the side netting but so far Antonee Robinson has been with him step for step. Canada have had their chances so it's all about making sure to limit opportunities but the United States hasn't been able to consistently hold possession to take the pressure off.
The Canadian center back has been under pressure and he gets a yellow for bringing down Reyna and the United States will keep the pressure on him.
All it took was 12 minutes for Chris Richards to find the back of the net following a corner. Gio Reyna grabs the assist and the United States are off and running early. Now with the United State sin the lead early, they'll need to keep the pressure up as Canada looks for a response.
First it was Weah now it's Balogun with the fancy footwork to catch Kennedy wrong footed as the USMNT wins a corner. This team has some sauce.
Eustaquio brought pressure but Weah shrugged him off to create a chance for the USMNT. While it didn't end in a goal, Weah's chance creation has been a bright spot early in the match but Musah needs more support in midfield as Canada are finding space as well.
The USMNT has struggled early on with Canada's press but neither team seems particularly comfortable in the buildup. Gio Reyna has fired the United States' first shot on target of the match but it was an easy save for Borjan in net.
The teams are out for the national anthems ahead of what should be a wild match.
Alphonso Davies is back and the game could be on skates as these two teams will be pushing the pace. The attack will have to be clinical or they'll be under pressure for the entire night.
Canada lineup: Milan Borjan, Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Scott Kennedy, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin
With suspensions and an injury to Miles Robinson, the USMNT have made three changes with Zimmerman, Aaronson, and Scally coming into the match. This will bring quite a fluid attack into the match to try and combat Canada's dangerous counter.
United States lineup: Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun
To say that it has been an eventful week for U.S. Soccer would be quite an understatement. Gregg Berhalter is back but won't manage until after the Gold Cup, Folarin Balogun has debuted, Christian Pulisic scored a brace to defeat Mexico 3-0, and McKennie and Dest are suspended. Oh, and there's also a second USMNT roster preparing for the Gold Cup. It's quite a time but all focus is on defending the Nations League title, something that they can do even without Dest and McKennie.
Balogun's impact was already felt on the pitch against Mexico but he's still in search of a first goal for the team and there's no better time to grab that then against Canada. As long as the USMNT are able to stay disciplined in the match, they have openly of talent to pull out a win especially utilizing Chris Richards' mobility to keep up with David.
While Canada were able to get past Panama, it wasn't an easy victory by any sense of the term. Canada's midfield allowed too much space in midfield for Panama to play through. Allowing the United States to create similar chances won't end well for Canada, but after getting minutes under his belt, Alphonso Davies will be in a great spot to make things happen in the clash. After their World Cup disappointment, Canada are beginning to develop a cutting edge but that may not be enough to defeat the United States.
Mexico leads 1-0 in the 58th minute but they're hanging on by a thread as Panama had a goal disallowed due to offside. El Tri would like an insurance goal sooner than later but the team hasn't been able to string attacks together when needed.
Tonight the Concacaf Nations League title will be decided as either the United States will win their third consecutive inter-federation trophy or Canada can officially claim the title as the best team in Concacaf if they're able to win their first trophy since the 2000 Gold Cup. We're set for an exciting match so buckle up for the ride.
