USA MAKE IT THREE FROM THREE IN CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
The fine line between success and failure in football was on show in Arlington, Texas for the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League finals where the United States continued their dominance of this tournament, lifting the trophy for a third time. But it was far from plain sailing for Gregg Berhalter and his US side. Despite maintaining their record as the only team to win this trophy since the first final in 2021, they were mere seconds away from being knocked out in the semi-finals by an understrength Jamaica side.
The Reggae Boyz were missing the likes of Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray, adding further weight to the favourites tag attached to the United States. But Jamaica took the lead via a Greg Leigh goal with just 31 seconds played, sending Berhalter’s US side into crisis mode.
A dramatic late own goal from Jamaica’s Cory Burke spared repercussions for what was an uninspiring showing from the US, who were fortunate to take the game to extra-time. Eventually, the quality in the US ranks showed in the additional period, with second-half substitutes Haji Wright and Gio Reyna combining twice for Coventry City striker Wright to notch a brace that secured a 3-1 victory.
Jamaica were unfortunate not to
These games were played against the backdrop of the upcoming 2024 Copa America and, looking further ahead, the 2026 World Cup
have hung on and reached the final, but they still had something to celebrate. An outstanding goal from Dexter Lembikisa was enough for them to win the third-place play-off against a disappointing Panama, who lost 3-0 to Mexico in the other semi.
These days, the United States often appear more comfortable in games against Mexico than they do against some of the other teams from the region, and that was the case again as the final pit the two regional heavyweights against each other.
Berhalter was able to take the positives from extra-time against Jamaica into the final against Mexico. Reyna and Wright both came into the starting line-up, as did defenders Tim Ream and Sergino Dest and midfielder Tyler Adams – the latter having come on against Jamaica. Adams’ minutes are still being limited as he returns to fitness following a hamstring injury, and the Bournemouth midfielder was withdrawn at half-time, but he still had enough time to give the US the lead with a thunderous strike from distance.
It was a lead they would not relinquish. With the new faces involved from the start, the US looked like an altogether more convincing outfit than they had against Jamaica, and Reyna’s quality was once again on show as he added a brilliant second goal following great play from Christian Pulisic on the wing.
It was a game marred by homophobic chanting from a considerable contingent of Mexico supporters, which led to the game being temporarily halted twice in the final minutes following numerous warnings and stadium announcements. United States players were also pelted with drinks and other objects as they
celebrated Reyna’s second-half goal in one corner of the pitch. It is an ongoing problem in the region and CONCACAF may have to alter its course of action beyond merely halting games if the issues are to be properly tackled.
The US are now unbeaten in seven games against Mexico, having won five and drawn two, making it their most dominant spell in the history of this continental rivalry. This in turn has led to further questions being asked of Mexico coach Jaime Lozano.
These games were played against the backdrop of the upcoming 2024 Copa America and, looking further ahead, the 2026 World Cup, both of which will be played on North American soil. It means coaches like Berhalter and Lozano are being judged not only on current results but also on how performances might translate to games against stronger opponents from South America this summer and from elsewhere around the world in 2026.
Just as Lozano winning the 2023 Gold Cup with Mexico didn’t end doubts about whether he is the right coach to lead El Tri in upcoming tournaments, the same will likely be true of Berhalter’s Nations League triumph.
But for now, the US coaching staff, players and fans get to celebrate another deserved title and revel in their current dominance of the Mexico-US rivalry.