In this episode, Santiago and Hal recap the USA beating Canada to win the Nations League the consecutive time.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Hal Phillips – @mandarinhal
USA 2 CAN 0
The U.S. Men’s National Team won the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League title on Sunday night with a 2-0 victory over Canada at Allegiant Stadium. Center back Chris Richards and forward Folarin Balogun became the first and second players to score their first international goals in a Final, with both first-half goals assisted by midfielder Gio Reyna as the USMNT claimed its third consecutive Concacaf tournament, adding to its 2021 Nations League and 2021 Gold Cup titles.
Captain and forward Christian Pulisic was named the tournament’s Best Player and goalkeeper Matt Turner took Best Goalkeeper honors. Forward Ricardo Pepi finished tied with Canada’s Jonathan David with four goals in the tournament.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
USA – Chris Richards (Gio Reyna), 12th minute: Tim Weah had just beat his man and played a dangerous ball to the near post to Christian Pulisic that was blocked at the last second. Reyna stepped up for the corner and delivered a cross just outside the six-yard box that Richards jumped for, heading down the ball back toward the middle of the goal that evaded Borjan as his momentum had taken him to his right. USA 1, CAN 0
USA – Folarin Balogun (Gio Reyna), 34th minute: Reyna played two roles in the goal, first heading down a cleared ball towards Weah, who headed the ball quickly back to Reyna. Reyna advanced forward and seeing Balogun keep his line with a man on his back, played the forward a simple but clever ball to his right side. Balogun shielded the ball and took a first-time shot with his right toward the near post, beating Borjan for his first international goal. USA 2, CAN 0
Lineups:
USA: 1-Matt Turner; 19-Joe Scally (23-Auston Trusty, 79), 3-Walker Zimmerman, 4-Chris Richards, 5-Antonee Robinson; 11-Brenden Aaronson (15-Johnny Cardoso, 68), 6-Yunus Musah, 7-Gio Reyna (14-Luca de la Torre, 46); 21-Tim Weah, 20-Folarin Balogun (9-Ricardo Pepi, 76), 10-Christian Pulisic (capt.)
Substitutes not used: 13-Drake Callender, 18-Sean Johnson, 12-Miles Robinson, 16-Alan Soñora, 17-Alex Zendejas, 22-Taylor Booth
Suspended: 2-Sergiño Dest, 8-Weston McKennie
Head coach: B.J. Callaghan
CAN: 18-Milan Borjan; 2-Alistair Johnston, 23-Scott Kennedy, 4-Kamal Miller; 22-Richie Laryea, 8-Ismaël Koné, 7-Stephen Eustáquio (10-David Junior Hoilett, 89), 19-Alphonso Davies; 20-Jonathan David, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 17-Cyle Larin (9-Lucas Cavallini, 76)
Substitutes not used: 1-Dayne St. Clair, 16-Tom McGill, 3-Samuel Adekugbe, 5-Steven Vitória, 6-Dominick Zator, 11-Tajon Buchanan, 12-Victor Loturi, 13-Atiba Hutchinson, 15-David Wotherspoon
Head coach: John Herdman
Stats Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 15 / 12
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Saves: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 8 / 5
Fouls: 16 / 15
Offside: 0 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
CAN – Scott Kennedy (Caution) 15th minute
CAN – Richie Laryea (Caution) 45+4
USA – Johnny Cardoso (Caution) 80
USA – Matt Turner (Caution) 81
USMNT GOLD CUP DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (club/country; caps/goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 26/0)
DEFENDERS (8): DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 2/0), Aaron Long (LAFC; 32/3), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 23/1), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 2/0), Bryan Reynolds (Roma/ITA; 3/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 21/3), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 78/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 9/0), Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 6/1), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 32/3), James Sands (New York City FC; 8/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0)
FORWARDS (6): Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 3/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 18/8), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 52/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 3/1), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 3/1)
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
