Preview, Concacaf Nations League Final

By Anonymous (not verified), June 17, 2023

PREVIEW: USMNT TAKES ON CANADA IN CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

USA Goes For Second Straight CNL Title Sunday With Coverage Beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and Univision

CHICAGO (June 17, 2023) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will look to claim its second-straight Concacaf Nations League title when it faces Canada in the 2022-23 CNL Final on Sunday, June 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Coverage of Canada-USA is set for 8:30 p.m. ET live on Paramount+ and Univision, with kickoff to follow at 9:06 p.m. ET.

Fans will also be able to follow the match via Facebook, Twitter @USMNT, Instagram @USMNT and the official U.S. Soccer App.

Detailed Roster by Position (Club/Country; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 27/0)

DEFENDERS (7): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 25/2), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 9/0), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 35/2), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 22/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 5/0), Auston Trusty (Birmingham City/ENG; 1/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 40/3)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; 6/0), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP; 15/0), Weston McKennie (Leeds United/ENG; 44/11), Yunus Musah (Valencia/ESP; 26/0), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 19/4), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0),

FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 31/7), Folarin Balogun (Stade Reims/FRA; 1/0), Taylor Booth (Utrecht/NED; 2/0), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen/NED; 15/7), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 59/25), Tim Weah (Lille/FRA; 30/4), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 3/1)USMNT BOOKS CNL FINAL PLACE WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER MEXICO

The U.S. Men’s National Team dominated Mexico en route to a 3-0 shutout win in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinals in front of a sellout crowd of 65,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday, June 15. Forward and captain Christian Pulisic scored twice within 10 minutes on both sides of the halftime break and Ricardo Pepi added another to help the USMNT advance to its fifth straight regional Final. Pulisic’s first goal in the 37th minute gave the USA its first halftime lead against Mexico since 2014, while the 3-0 score line marked the team’s biggest margin of victory against El Trí in official competition.

PULISIC CONTINUES MOVING UP THE CHARTS

With two goals against Mexico, 24-year-old attacker Christian Pulisic continued his ascent up the USMNT’s scoring chart, leapfrogging three-time FIFA World Cup veteran Joe-Max Moore (24 goals) to take up sixth on the team’s all-time goals list with 25 total.

Now with four goals in his last four matches against Mexico, Pulisic’s brace also took him to 21 goals in official competition, making him just the fifth USMNT player to break the 20-goal threshold in competitive matches. The performance also marked the fifth multi-goal game of his international career, good enough for third all-time among USMNT players.

RICARDO PEPI STAYS HOT

Ricardo Pepi scored for a third consecutive match, coming off the bench to contribute the back-breaking third goal in the 78th minute of the 3-0 win against Mexico. At 20 years, 157 days, Pepi is the youngest player in USMNT history to have a goalscoring streak of three or more games, doing so at 74 days younger than Eddie Johnson (20 years, 231 days) in 2004. The 20-year-old striker is also the first USMNT player to record goals in three consecutive appearances since Clint Dempsey during Copa America Centenario from June 7-June 16, 2016.

EXPERIENCE IN FINALS

Five of the 21 players available for selection on Sunday have previous experience in a final with the USMNT. Christian Pulisic leads the way with two championship appearances, playing in the 2019 Gold Cup Final and the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final in which his extra time penalty kick stood as the game-winning goal. Gio Reyna and Tim Weah also appeared in that 2021 CNL final, with Reyna scoring the USA’s opening goal in the 3-2 extra time win. Rostered players Sergiño Dest and Weston McKennie also appeared in the 2021 CNL Final, but are unavailable for selection on Sunday after picking up red cards in Thursday’s semifinal against Mexico.

Center back Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Matt Turner are poised to make their second-straight final appearance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the pair playing a crucial role in the team’s 1-0 extra time win against Mexico in the 2021 Gold Cup Final. Turner made five saves to keep the clean sheet, while Robinson’s 117th minute header clinched the team’s second trophy of the summer.

USMNT AGAINST CANADA

Sunday’s CNL Championship Match will be the USMNT’s first final against Canada, marking the latest chapter in a regional series that has heated up in recent years. The USMNT heads into the match with a 16-10-12 all-time advantage against Les Rouges and holding a 9-8-5 edge in official competition.

The group stage of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League in 2019 lit a spark between the two sides as Canada upset the USA 2-0 on Oct. 15, 2019 in Toronto, before the USA returned the favor with a 4-1 win on Nov. 15, 2019 in Orlando to book a place in the 2021 CNL Finals. After the USA edged Canada 1-0 during the 2021 Gold Cup group stage, John Herdman’s side got the better of the USMNT during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, earning a 1-1 away draw on Sept. 5, 2021 in Nashville, before taking a 2-0 win on Jan. 30, 2022 in Hamilton, helping to push Canada to its first World Cup appearance since 1986.

ROAD TO THE CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE FINALS

Prior to Thursday’s 3-0 win against Mexico, the U.S. Men’s National Team finished atop Group D of Concacaf Nations League A and advanced to the Final four after posting a 3-0-1 record in home and away matches against El Salvador and Grenada.

Jesús Ferreira’s four goal haul, along with a single strike from Paul Arriola paced the USA to a 5-0 win against Grenada in Austin on June 10, 2022. Four days later, Jordan Morris’ header a minute into second half stoppage time secured a crucial 1-1 draw at El Salvador.

In the new year, the USA used braces from Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi, as well as strikes from Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic and Alex Zendejas to take a 7-1 victory at Grenada on March 24. With the USA needing just a draw against El Salvador to claim top spot in the group, Ricardo Pepi came off the bench to put home a 62nd minute winner in the 1-0 victory over La Selecta on March 27 in Orlando.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Already this year a number of pieces have been added into the mix, as five players on this roster have made their USMNT debuts during 2023. Taylor Booth and Auston Trusty took their first bows on March 24 at Grenada, and Alan Soñora and Alex Zendejas earned their first appearances on Jan. 25 vs. Serbia. In addition, Johnny Cardoso became officially “cap-tied” to the United States when the Brazilian-American appeared against Grenada in March in Nations League group play.

The most recent addition to the USMNT brotherhood on this roster is Folarin Balogun, the multinational player who recently committed to representing the United States ahead of England and Nigeria. Nearly a month to the day of his commitment, Balogun earned his first cap in Thursday’s semifinal against Mexico, becoming the first USMNT player since 1976 to start their debut match in official competition against El Trí.

PENALTIES, EXTRA TIME RULES FOR CNLIn the event of a tie in Sunday’s CNL Final, two extra time periods will be played. If still tied at the end of extra time, a penalty kick shootout will be used to determine the winner. If extra time is to be played in any match, each team will have the opportunity to make one additional substitution, allowing for a total of six changes to be made per side.

USA ROSTER NOTES

The eligible 21-player roster averages 19 caps and 12 appearances in official competition.
As of the final on June 18, the roster will hold an average age of 24 years, 154 days. The average age is about five months older than the 23-man squad for the inaugural Nations League Finals in 2021 (23 years, 336 days).
Players represent clubs in eight different countries: England (6), USA (3), France (2), Germany (2), Mexico (2), Netherlands (2), Spain (2), Brazil (1) and Canada (1).
Christian Pulisic is the leading cap-winner on the roster with 59 appearances. He’s followed by Walker Zimmerman (41), Antonee Robinson (35), Brenden Aaronson (31).
Six eligible players were part of the roster that claimed the inaugural 2021 Concacaf Nations League title in Denver: Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah. Sergiño Dest and Weston McKennie were also part of that squad, but will serve a one-game suspension during Sunday’s final after receiving red cards in Thursday’s match against Mexico.
Fourteen of the 21 eligible players have appearances in knockout round matches: Christian Pulisic (9), Matt Turner (5), Gio Reyna and Miles Robinson (4 each), Brenden Aaronson, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah (3 each), Yunus Musah and Walker Zimmerman (2 each), Folarin Balogun, Luca de la Torre, Ricardo Pepi, Chris Richards and Joe Scally (1 each).
Center back Chris Richards made his first appearance since January 30, 2022 at Canada in Sunday’s semifinal win against Mexico.
Five players have made their USMNT debuts during 2023. Taylor Booth and Auston Trusty took their first bows on March 24 at Grenada and Alan Soñora and Alex Zendejas earned their first appearances on Jan. 25 vs. Serbia, while Folarin Balogun earned his first cap on Thursday against Mexico.
With 21 of his 25 international goals coming in official competition, Christian Pulisic is now just the fifth USMNT player to record 20+ goals in competitive matches. He’s currently behind Clint Dempsey (41), Landon Donovan (38), Jozy Altidore (24) and Brian McBride (23).
Now with 34 career goal contributions in official competitions to his name, Christian Pulisic now sits third all-time among USMNT players in competitive matches. Pulisic (34 G+A; 21 goals, 13 assists) moved passed Jozy Altidore (33 G+A; 24 goals, 19 assists) and now sits behind only Landon Donovan (77 G+A; 38 goals, 39 assists) and Clint Dempsey (56 G+A; 41 goals, 15 assists).
Pulisic now has five career goals in knockout round matches, placing him fourth all-time among USMNT players behind Landon Donovan (14), Clint Dempsey (9) and Brian McBride (6).

USA-CANADA NOTES

The USMNT heads into the match with a 16-10-12 all-time advantage against Les Rouges and holding a 9-8-5 edge in official competition.
The USMNT hasn’t defeated Canada since a 1-0 win in the Gold Cup group stage finale on July 18, 2021 in Kansas City. Since then, Canada earned a 1-1 away draw on Sept. 5, 2021 in Nashville and 2-0 win on Jan. 30, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario.
This will be the first time the United States and Canada meet in a final. The only two previous knockout round games at major tournaments between the two teams were Gold Cup semifinals in which the United States advanced in 2002 (0-0, 4-2 PK) and 2007 (2-1).
Brenden Aaronson is the only player on the roster with a goal against Canada, scoring in the 1-1 draw on Sept. 5, 2021.
Ten eligible USMNT players have previous match experience against Canada: Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson and Matt Turner (3 games), Brenden Aaronson and Antonee Robinson (2 games), Sean Johnson, Yunus Musah, Chris Richards and Walker Zimmerman (1 game).

IN FOCUS: CANADA

ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS):GOALKEEPERS (3): Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade/SRB; 74/0), Tom McGill (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG; 0/0), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC/USA; 2/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Scott Kennedy (Jahn Regensburg/GER; 11/0), Kamal Miller (Inter Miami CF/USA; 11/0), Steven Vitoria (Chaves/POR; 40/4), Dominick Zator (Korona Kielce/POL; 0/0), Samuel Adekugbe (Galatasaray/TUR; 40/1), Alistair Johnston (Celtic/SCO; 35/1), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC; 40/1), Moise Bombito (Colorado Rapids/USA; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto/POR; 31/3), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas/TUR; 104/9), Ismael Kone (Watford FC/ENG; 12/1), Victor Loturi (Ross County/SCO; 0/0), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC; 63/8), David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone/SCO; 11/1)

FORWARDS (6): Lucas Cavallini (Club Tijuana/MEX; 35/18), Jonathan David (Lille/FRA; 41/25), Cyle Larin (Real Valladolid/ESP; 61/28), Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge/BEL; 32/4), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich/GER; 40/14), Junior Hoilett (Reading/ENG; 54/14)

ROSTER NOTES:

Eighteen of the 23-player roster are based outside North America with 11 different countries represented: England (3), Scotland (3), Germany (2), Portugal (2), Turkey (2), Belgium (1), France (1), Mexico (1), Poland (1), Serbia (1) and Spain (1),
Five other players feature in Major League Soccer: Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), Kamar Miller (Inter Miami) and Moise Bombito (Colorado Rapids).
Jonathan David scored in the 25th minute and Alphonso Davies tallied in the 70th minute to give Canada a 2-0 win against Panama in Thursday’s semifinal.
Cyle Larin is Canada’s all-time leading goal scorer with 28 international goals.
Larin is followed by Lille striker Jonathan David (25 goals), who is a teammate of USMNT forward Tim Weah with the French Ligue 1 side, and Alphonso Davies (14 goals), two-time reigning Concacaf men's player of the year who stars for Bayern Munich.
Another forward, 35-year-old Lucas Cavallini has scored 18 goals in only 35 international matches.
Veteran goalkeeper Milan Borjan, 35, brings plenty of experience (74 caps) to the backline.
At the age of 40, team captain and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktaş), has accrued a record 104 international appearances while scoring nine times. He played the final 15 minutes of the 2-0 win over Panama on Thursday night.
Seven players on the Canada roster are over the age of 30, compared to just two from the U.S. Canada’s 30+ players are Borjan (35), defender Steven Vitoria (36), midfielders David Wotherspoon (33), Jonathan Osorio (31) and Hutchinson (40), and forwards Lucas Cavallini (35) and Junior Hollett (34).

Editor's Note. Christine Sinclair, with her 190 International Goals is more than 6x ahead of Larin noted above as being "Canada's all-time leading goal scorer with 28".