USMNT vs. Mexico score: Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna score as USA win Concacaf Nations League

A goal in each half results in yet another dos a cero and a three-peat

The United States men's national team have won the Concacaf Nations League for a third time in a row after defeating Mexico 2-0 on Sunday night in Arlington, Texas. A first-half golazo from Tyler Adams set the tone before Gio Reyna grabbed his goal in the second half with Gregg Berhalter's team producing a much more comprehensive performance than in their semifinal win over Jamaica.

Here's the goal from Adams, which will go down as one of the best in USMNT history for its power and precision:

"I always get up for big games," said Adams to CBS Sports after the match. He hasn't played much in the last year due to injuries.

"It means the world to me."

The Americans had 11 shots on the night and put six on frame while El Tri only put two of their nine on goal. The U.S. won the battle of possession, looked sharper on the ball and could have won by more had it not been for Guillermo Ochoa making two saves from point-blank range on Christian Pulisic and Johnny Cardoso. 

In the final minutes, the match was stopped twice after homophobic chants from Mexico supporters. Despite numerous in-game announcements aimed at stopping the chants, they continued as the match was stopped before it was concluded before a late goal kick. 

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With the victory, the U.S. built serious momentum ahead of the Copa America, which they will host this summer. It serves as a huge measuring stick against top competition. National teams such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay will be participating in the event, which kicks off on June 20. 

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[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT 2, Mexico 0 (FT)

[Mar 24, 2024 at 11:19 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Game over!

The U.S. have won it! Another 2-0, dos a cero, and they are kings of Concacaf once again. That's the third time in a row they've won this competition and the first time they've ever recorded a three-peat in an official tournament!

[Mar 24, 2024 at 11:00 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Match stopped

Homophobic chants from the Mexican supporters have resulted in this match being stopped twice in the final minutes after numerous in-stadium warning announcements.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 10:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GIO 

He does it again as minutes don't matter for Gio Reyna. It was a quick shot and he beats Ochoa to the post and the USMNT are keeping things going.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 10:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Big changes

Adams may have scored a goal but he'll now exit at half with Johnny Cardoso entering. The minutes restriction was known but this is quite a moment for Cardoso to show what he can do.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 10:02 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

ADAMS!!!!

HE IS BACK. Tyler Adams hit it and said that I'm going into half wit a lead. He is back with a bang and the USMNT is feeling it over their rivals.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

So close for Dest

He had a chance in the attacking third and uncorked a shot but was unable to turn it into a goal.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:44 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT are winning the xG battle

It's .55 to .08 in favor of the United States but so far they haven't been able to turn the xG advantage into a real advantage.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

No one can gain control

Both teams have chances in the box but 19 minutes in, neither team can gain an advantage so far in the match.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:27 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A dangerous pass back

It took a good read by Ream as Richards played a slow ball back to make sure that Mexico didn't turn the chance into a goal.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:21 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Back and forth start

Mexico and the USMNT have had their chances but it hasn't led to a quick goal yet. So far the USMNT ahs their attacking chances as Pulisic's chance is saved by Ochoa to keep it level.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 9:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Let's get under way

The anthems have happened and soccer is about to be en process.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 8:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

It's unlikely that the best version of either the USMNT or Mexico will show up on Sunday, but a competitive match still feels likely considering each side's talents and shortcomings. The USMNT might have enough quality to overcome El Tri's defensive strengths, but expect a closely contested matchup for the latest installment of the bitter rivalry. Pick: Mexico 0, United States 1 after extra time

[Mar 24, 2024 at 8:31 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Hello from AT&T Stadium

The USMNT were just booed and whistled upon coming out for warmups, while Mexico were cheered right after. The rivalry vibes are officially in the building.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 8:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Looking ahead a little, who are Copa contenders

Check out what Jonathan Johnson has to say

This summer is not just about UEFA Euro 2024 and the Olympics, but there is also Copa America which is coming Stateside. South America's top regional international competition is also going to feature North American representation with the USMNT the host nation and Mexico obvious regional powers from CONCACAF with Canada still possibly entering via the playoffs which will be decided Saturday. The U.S. and El Tri are already set in terms of their groups but neither are obvious favorites for the title from the off despite an obvious geographic advantage in terms of home support -- not that many of the South American nations will be underrepresented. So who are the teams that we should consider contenders of varying categories?

[Mar 24, 2024 at 8:03 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Five lineup changes

Berhalter is going with a pretty different lineup for today's Nations League final, opting for the players many were hoping would be in the lineup -- Wright, Reyna, Adams, Ream and Dest. Berhalter admitted that Adams will be on an increased minutes limit, but he seems destined to be one of the early subs tonight.

Here's the lineup in full.

USMNT starting lineup: Turner, Dest, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson, Adams, McKennie, Reyna, Weah, Wright, Pulisic

Substitutes: Horvath, Callender, Musah, Pepi, Aaronson, M. Robinson, Cardoso, McKenzie, Tillman, Scally, Folarin Balogun, Lund

[Mar 24, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Haji Wright should start

Pardeep takes a look at players who should be involved

This one almost goes without saying. Wright performed at a high level during his 57 minute shift on Thursday, showcasing that his 15 goal season with Coventry City has the potential to translate to the national team. He did well to unlock a tidy Jamaica defense and is perhaps best-positioned of the strikers in camp to do so again against Mexico. The competition for the USMNT's center forward spot felt like a two-person race between Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi, but Wright has not just better club form on his side, but a hot streak. It makes him an easy candidate to start on Sunday and if he keeps this up, jump to the front of the USMNT's striker line.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 7:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT Storylines

The USMNT's win over Jamaica was a dramatic one that showed off the side's strengths and weaknesses. Gio Reyna assisted both of Haji Wright's goals as both made the maximum impact as substitutes, arguably saving the team's skin in the process. They went down a goal in the first minute, when Jamaica's Gregory Leigh scored, and despite holding more than 80% of the ball and posting 20 shots, the USMNT were wasteful in attack and looked set for defeat. Cory Burke's own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time forced the game to extra time, which breathed new life into a U.S. team that was in sore need of it.

The objective for Sunday will be to ensure that no version of the first 90 minutes of the game against Jamaica turns up. It's possible the performance on Thursday could provide some insight in time for the clash against Mexico, since El Tri pummeled Panama despite being out-possessed and outshot.

In that case, it will be worth watching Berhalter's team selection to see if he feels Wright and Reyna can be effective from the start and help the U.S. avoid playing catch up. Sergino Dest, meanwhile, is expected to slot back into the lineup after missing the Jamaica game through suspension. Berhalter also said that Tyler Adams will likely be involved in some way as he eases his way back into playing after nearly a year out with a hamstring issue.

[Mar 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Paramount+'s coverage of the Concacaf Nations League

All times U.S./Eastern

• 7 p.m.: pre-game coverage, Mexico vs. USMNT  (Paramount+)
• 9:15 p.m.: Mexico vs. USMNT  (Paramount+)

[Mar 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

The USMNT will look to win their third consecutive Nations League title in a formidable clash against their rivals in Mexico. While Sergino Dest will return from suspension, Gregg Berhalter will need to determine if Haji Wright and Gio Reyna are fit to start the match after their heroics against Jamaica.