USMNT completes Concacaf Nation’s League Threepeat with 2-0 win over Mexico

The USMNT has won its third-straight Concacaf Nation’s League title! They took on Mexico looking for a threepeat and played El Tri off the field eventually winning 2-0. The USA looked much better than they did in the semifinals, and now carry this trophy win with them as they ready themselves for the next big tournament, this summer’s Copa America!

USMNT 2 – 0 Mexico Recap

As the USMNT came into the Concacaf Nation’s League final, they did not look great. They needed 90+6 minutes to score against Jamaica to force extra time in the semifinals. Whereas, Mexico dominated Panama and won 3-0. Both nations were on opposite ends, with different pressures.

Mexico hadn’t beaten the USA since 2019, and the pressure fell on head coach Jamie Lozano to get that first victory in over five years. The USMNT were looking to win their third successive Concacaf Nations League, while head coach Gregg Berhalter looked to get the most out of his team in his system of play. As the game began, it looked clear that the USMNT’s game plan was going to be the one to dictate the play.

The USA came into the match and looked to possess the ball and move it quickly to create transition moments. Mexico sat in a mid-block to try to muddle up the middle of the field and hit the USA on the counterattack. This allowed the USMNT to have more of the ball, and it got their players opportunities on the ball. One player who got a big chance to show his worth was Tyler Adams who could only play 45 minutes coming back from injury.

Just before halftime, Adams was given acres of space 35 years from the goal. He wound up and struck the ball; the shot rocketed and seemed to confuse Mexican keeper Memo Ochoa. The keeper was late to jump and the shot was on target. It hit the back of the net with some force and the USMNT was up 1-0. As the game moved into the second half, Mexico had to get out of their mid-block to force some attacks, and when that occurred, it left more room for USMNT counterattacks.

One such attack did happen in the 63rd minute. Christian Pulisic stormed down the wing and got to the end line. He chipped the ball over a sliding defender and put a cross near the six-yard box. The ball ricocheted out to gio Reyna. Reyna took his chance and struck the ball first time. The strike beat Ochoa to his near post and the USMNT was up 2-0. Mexico was dead on the field, they tried to flop for PKs but couldn’t get one. The match would end dos a cero; USMNT were crowned Nations League champions yet again!

Another Dos a Cero solidifying the talent gap?

The USA has now not lost to Mexico since September 6, 2019. They are now seven games unbeaten against El Tri, their longest run in the history of this Concacaf rivalry. This USMNT team seems to have something that previous U.S. sides struggled to have. The current version of the US Men’s National Team is not afraid of Mexico and is more talented than them.

This fact was clear when you look at how the two nations went about playing in this Concacaf Nations League Final. The USMNT came in looking to use the ball, and Mexico came in looking to sit in and defend. It’s almost as if the roles reversed. In years past it would have been the USA sitting back and looking to hit long balls to create counterattacks, now it’s Mexico that is doing this. The power dynamic has shifted the way of the USMNT, and things will stay the same until Mexico can develop more talented players as the USA has done.

Can this USMNT go far at this Summer’s Copa America tournament?

Now both of these nations need to shift their focus to this summer’s Copa America tournament. The 2024 version of the tournament will be held in the United States, giving the U.S. home-field advantage. The USMNT will play group-stage matches against Bolivia at 6 pm on Sunday, June 23, Panama at 6 pm on June 27, and Uruguay at 9 pm on Monday, July 1! Those three matches will be difficult but are not ones that this talented squad shouldn’t be able to handle.

The USMNT should get out of their group, but the quarterfinals pose a big threat. There they will likely face either Brazil or Colombia. Honestly, it will likely not matter if the USA finishes first or second in their Copa America group this summer. Their quarterfinal match will be difficult, and if they can win and make the semifinal, then they could play one of Brazil, Colombia, or Uruguay. Win that semifinal and Messi and Argentina could be waiting there.

No matter what happened to the three-time Concacaf Nations League champions this summer, they will have to rely on their uberly talented team to go far. Friendlies ahead of the tournament against Colombia and Brazil have been scheduled as a marker for this team. Without World Cup qualifying for 2026, the USMNT will have to continue showing well at these other big tournaments as their main version of World Cup preparation. They won the Nations League again, up next is the tougher task of Copa America!