United States Men’s National team defeats Mexico 2-0 to win their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night. Midfielder Tyler Adams scored one of his most memorable goals with a first half effort from well outside the box to give USA the lead. Much maligned attacking threat Gio Reyna also scored to hand Mexico the dreaded 2-0 scoreline.
The US started the game strong with a line-up that seemingly rewarded the best parts of the semi-final game against Jamaica. Haji Wright started with Reyna in the midfield alongside Adams. Adams made his first start in quite some time due to a lingering hamstring injury. His inclusion was questioned by some due to his lack of significant playing minutes.
However that was put to rest before the halftime whistle when Weston McKinnie passed the ball to Adams well outside of the 16-yard box. The former Leeds and Leipzig player had the space and took a shot that howled into the back of the net to give the US the lead.
As the second half started, Mexico looked to impose themselves into the game but gave the ball away too freely. The US controlled the game and generated more opportunities. One such sequence saw the ball deflected to the foot of Reyna in the 63rd minute. The Dortmund player converted the opportunity to solidify the win for team USA.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter now adds another trophy to his collection with a third title. It is also the second time the team has defeated Mexico in the final. The win ends the international break with silverware and gives the US national team a bit of confidence heading into this summer’s Copa America.
STARTING XI:
US Men’s National Team: Turner; Dest, Ream, Richards, Robinson, McKennie, Adams (45′ Cardoso), Weah (90′ Tillman), Pulisic (90′ Aaronson), Reyna (79′ Musah), Wright (66′ Balogun)
Mexican Men’s National Team: Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo (90′ Arteaga), Chavez (80′ Romo), Alvarez, E. Sanchez (65′ Pineda), Antuna (65′ Gimenez), Martin, Lozano
SCORING SUMMARY:
45′ (USMNT) Tyler Adams assisted by Weston McKinnie
63′ (USMNT) Gio Reyna unassisted
DISCIPLINE:
27′ (USMNT) Weston McKennie – YELLOW CARD
55′ (MNT) Johan Vasquez – YELLOW CARD
58′ (MNT) Edson Alvarez – YELLOW CARD
61 (MNT) Uriel Antuna – YELLOW CARD
74′ (MNT) Santiago Gimenez – YELLOW CARD