CONCACAF Nations League Champions: Match Recap
USA Stomps Canada, Wins Back-to-Back Titles
First-Time Goalscorers Come Through
The 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League concluded with a bang on Sunday as Canada and the USA faced off in Las Vegas. Two first-half goals, from first-time goalscorers, won the match and title for the USA. Canada didn’t quite have enough quality in the final third on Sunday to put up a fight. With back-to-back titles, the USMNT is the only team to win the CONCACAF Nations League, which debuted in 2019. Let’s take a look at how the USA became CONCACAF Nations League champions for a second time.
Match Recap
The pregame soccer betting lines priced the USA as +110 ATS and moneyline favorites heading into the match. USA center back Chris Richards became the first USMNT player to score his first international goal in a final on Sunday. Richards scored a header from a Gio Reyna corner kick in the 12th minute to put the USA up 1-0.
The USA kept putting pressure on Canada and ended up getting another goal before the half. Reyna got his second assist of the night as he played a through ball for Folarin Balogun. Balogun fired past Canada keeper Milan Borjan to score his first USMNT goal in just his second appearance.
The Arsenal man made headlines for switching his international allegiance from England to the USA. He scored 21 Ligue 1 goals on loan at Reims in 2022-23 and is a wanted man in the Summer transfer market. Balogun caused problems for the Canada defense all night and could cement himself as the USA starting striker going forward.
Reyna, who only played 53 minutes at the World Cup, had to come off at halftime with an injury. Canada were lively in the second half, but their final product was lacking. Alphonso Davies and Cyle Larin had good chances but fired over the crossbar. The USA fullbacks, Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson were standouts. They kept the Canadian wingers quiet, for the most part.
The US kept a clean sheet and became back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League champions. Interim coach B.J. Callaghan guided the USA to a 3-0 win over Mexico on Thursday and won a trophy in just his second match. He’ll also be in charge for the USA’s Gold Cup campaign, but Gregg Berhalter will once again take over ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
USA’s Run to the Final
The USA were placed in Group D with fellow CONCACAF teams El Salvador and Grenada. To open up their campaign, the USMNT defeated Grenada 5-0 as Jesus Ferreira scored four goals. Following a 1-1 draw at El Salvador, the USA won their two remaining matches and won Group D by a five-point margin.
In a feisty Nations League semifinal the USA demolished Mexico 3-0. Christian Pulisic scored twice and Ricardo Pepi added a late insurance goal. Four players got sent off in the match, including two USA players. Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest were suspended for the final for their roles in brawls.
Other Storylines
CONCACAF Nations League champions USA are also going for back-to-back Gold Cup titles starting next Saturday. The USMNT kicks off the group stage vs. Jamaica at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Canada’s appearance in the Nations League final was their first in a major final since they won the Gold Cup in 2000. Canada advanced out of Group C over Honduras and Curacao and defeated Panama 2-0 in the Nations League semifinal. Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies were the goalscorers for Les Rogues in the semis.
Mexico bounced back from their 3-0 loss to the USA in the semifinal to defeat Panama 1-0 in the Third-Place game. Jesus Gallardo scored the game’s only goal in the fourth minute. With the USA’s recent dominance over Mexico, El Tri have a spurious claim to being CONCACAF’s best team.
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