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Santiago Leon and Hal Phillips recap to USMNT’s win over Mexico to win the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Hal Phillips – @mandarinhal
A 2-0 victory over Mexico on Thursday in Arlington saw the United States win its third CONCACAF Nations League title in as many tries, giving the U.S. its first-ever seven-match unbeaten run against El Tri.
A thunderbolt from Tyler Adams just before halftime put the U.S. up, and Gio Reyna finished it off with a goal just past the hour mark in yet another “dos a cero” victory, which has become a popular term of endearment for the United States amidst their current run.
Tim Ream led the defensive effort as the U.S. completely smothered the Mexico buildup, both early as El Tri sat back and late as they panicked and threw attackers forward. Adams, dogged by injuries the last year, started an international match for the first time in 475 days, and produced a piledriver from distance which sent U.S. fans into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, Gio Reyna yet again ran the show from the U.S. midfield. While his role in this match wasn’t quite as flashy as his substitute appearance against Jamaica, he was tireless in his 79 minutes of action, sitting deep and beginning progression while also arriving in the final third to help with goal creation.
2 Adams (45′),
Reyna (64′)
Starting lineups:
USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 2. Dest, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 8. McKennie, 4. Adams (Cardoso, 46′) — 21. Weah (Tillman, 90′), 7. Reyna, 10. Pulisic (Aaronson, 90′) — 14. Wright (Balogun, 66′).
Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): Ochoa (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, J. Vasquez, Gallard (Arteaga, 90′) — E. Sanchez (Pineda, 65′), E. Alvarez, Chavez (Romo, 80′) — Antuna (Gimenez, 65′), Martin, Lozano.
Gregg Berhalter made it clear before the semifinal against Jamaica that whatever the situation with Gio Reyna at the club level, he would always have a place at the national team ready for him, because they know what he brings to the table.