US nabs 3rd straight Nations League title

Goals by Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna led the US men’s national team to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League in Arlington, Texas, for a third consecutive title. Adams scored in the 45th minute and Reyna added in the 63rd. The US won the inaugural Nations League final 3-2 in extra time over Mexico in 2021 and took the second title in 2023, besting Mexico in the semifinal before downing Canada 2-0.

The Americans have a seven-game unbeaten streak in the series (5-0-2) since Mexico’s last victory in September 2019.

Adams stunned the Mexicans with a screamer from 35 yards to the upper left corner. He has two goals in 38 US matches.

Reyna, who came off the bench Wednesday to assist a pair of extra time goals by Haji Wright in the 3-1 semifinal win over Jamaica, struck from the upper left side of the box.

Christian Pulisic made a swerving dribble at the end line to send the ball in front of the goal, where it was cleared by Mexican defender Johan Vasquez to Reyna, who has two goals and five assists in his past five Nations League matches.

A penalty was awarded to Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez in the 72nd minute after a high kick by Antonee Robinson but it was overturned video review and Gimenez was carded for embellishment.

Until Adams’s brilliance, the best scoring opportunity for either side came in the fifth minute when Pulisic dribbled into the box to force a save by Guillermo Ochoa at the near post.

The match was delayed for about five minutes in the 88th minute and again briefly in the 96th minute because the pro-Mexican crowd made homophobic chants on US goal kicks. • Reuters