USMNT wins second straight CONCACAF Nations League title as Balogun scores first

Folarin Balogun scored his first goal in a United States uniform and Gio Reyna had two assists as the U.S. defended its CONCACAF Nations League title with a 2-0 win over Canada on Sunday.

Reyna’s corner kick was headed in by Chris Richards in the 12th minute to give the U.S. an early lead, and 22 minutes later Reyna was given too much space near the top of the box and fed Balogun for a powerful finish from inside 10 yards to double the lead.

The two assists gave Reyna one goal and three assists across two Nations League finals, more goal contributions in tournament finals than any other player in USMNT history. Reyna exited the game at halftime due to a calf injury, however.

The first half was mostly dominated by the U.S., with several chances outside of the two goals. Canada forced a huge save out of Turner in the 39th minute, but the U.S. was mostly in control.

Canada found a bit more of the game early in the second half, but the U.S. was again creating opportunities. A three-minute sequence from the 54th minute through the 56th saw a Balogun shot blocked out for a corner, a Richards header pushed off the crossbar and a Balogun shot from close-range get cleared off the goal line. Cyle Larin put a shot over the crossbar in the 67th minute that could have cut the score in half. Jonathan David also had a look in the 94th minute, but Canada couldn’t convert.

With the win, the U.S. has now won trophies in its last three CONCACAF tournaments. The U.S. beat Mexico in the 2021 Nations League final and also won the 2021 Gold Cup, defeating El Tri in that final, as well.

What does this win mean for the U.S.?

It was a busy week in Las Vegas. First, a hugely eventful and intense 3-0 win over rival Mexico in the semifinal Thursday night that continued a six-game unbeaten streak against their bitter rivals. Then, Gregg Berhalter returning as men’s national team coach, which was announced Friday. Finally, a decisive win over a Canada team that finished atop CONCACAF’s World Cup qualifying table last spring.

The victory essentially says that, for now, the U.S. is the top team in the region — though it’ll have to defend that moniker again in the Gold Cup, albeit with a team that will be missing all of its biggest names. For this U.S. team, the 2021 Nations League win was a validating moment that the team was headed in the right direction.

These games have been all about carrying momentum forward from Qatar, and capturing another Nations League trophy certainly did that. — Tenorio

What went wrong for Canada?

Canada looked woefully unprepared for the athleticism and attacking talent the Americans presented. Canada’s center backs in particular had little answer for the United States, especially on set pieces, which should call into question John Herdman’s choice to start Scott Kennedy over Steven Vitoria.

Their problems weren’t limited to defending, however: When the likes of Alphonso Davies did manage to find space in behind…