GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Sunday's CONCACAF Nations League final
What we just saw was just 180 minutes of near-perfect soccer. Facing their two biggest regional rivals, the U.S. men's national team was completely dominant. Five goals scored, zero goals conceded and, at the end of it all, a second consecutive Nations League trophy.
What makes that trophy even sweeter is just how easy it was to lift it. The USMNT was never really challenged. First was their 3-0 battering of Mexico in the semifinal, which was followed up by Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Canada. Throughout this process, there was no doubt about how this would end; it felt like a matter of time.
On Sunday, the U.S. was led by two of the team's youngest stars, one familiar and one new. Gio Reyna, starting centrally once again, was fantastic, providing both assists in the win. Folarin Balogun, meanwhile, found the back of the net with a thunderous finish, getting off the mark in just his second game.
A picture-perfect goal to headline a picture-perfect performance. The USMNT has lifted another trophy and, based on their performance, there may not be an end in sight.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the USMNT's win over Canada:
GettyWINNER: Gio Reyna
It's a shame that Gio Reyna's night only lasted 45 minutes because it's fun to imagine just how much damage he could have done with another 45.
Reyna was absolutely stellar in the first half, providing the two assists for the two USMNT goals. The first came via the set piece, as Reyna's corner found the head of Chris Richards. The second was a perfectly-weighted through ball to Balogun, who did the rest of the work with a thunderous finish.
The first one, in particular, will be something of a relief to USMNT fans, who have spent the last few years dying for good set pieces. Christian Pulisic has always left a lot to be desired in that category; could Reyna be the answer?
Either way, this was a fantastic performance from Reyna, who has looked significantly more confident this window. This game, in particular, was Reyna at his best. His ability on the ball is basically unmatched in the pool and, when he gets going, the USMNT attack is tough to stop.
Let's hope Gregg Berhalter was watching.
AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Canada
After really frustrating the USMNT in World Cup qualifiers, this was Canada's chance to really make a statement. Their World Cup didn't go to plan, of course, but this was a chance to show that their team is just as good as any in the CONCACAF reason.
Instead, they were totally handled by the USMNT, who showed there is still a pretty large gap between the two despite the qualifying results.
Canada have some talented players and may very well be the second-best team in the region, but they were also the second-best team in the region. There was no facet of the game where Canada was as good as the USMNT; they were never really in the game.
After the match, head coach John Herdman took aim at the federation for their lack of investment in the program compared to that of U.S. Soccer.
"We need to get the money," he said. "We have to get serious about winning a World Cup. Anytime you host a World Cup you have a chance to win it. You see it on the field, the margins are so thin. These players, this country deserves it."
Canada are still much better off than they were five years ago; they're probably better than they've ever been and getting better. But Herdman expects more than what he saw this week, and he probably has a point.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Folarin Balogun
He's off the mark now with what may just be the first of many. If this is the striker the USMNT will be getting going forward, oh boy.
Balogun lived up to his billing with his goal on Sunday night, combining perfectly with Reyna before smashing the ball into the back of the net. It was as pure of a sequence as you can get as Balogun created space, ran into that space and then provided the finish. You can't ask much more of a striker.
His performance against Mexico was good, but quiet. He did the little things very, very well, even if he wasn't involved in any of the goals. On Sunday, though, he did the big thing: putting the ball into the back of the net.
By doing so, he became just the second USMNT player to score his first goal in a final, following someone else soon to appear on this list. And, just two games into his international career, Balogun already has his hands on an international trophy.
His decision to commit looks good, at least so far, and the USMNT are lucky to have a player that does, indeed, look like he should be a legitimate star for years to come.
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GettyLOSER: Alphonso Davies
This comes with a caveat. Based on what was going on around him, there was little Davies could have done to salvage this game. Canada were outclassed, and even their superstar couldn't save them.
He tried his hardest and, at times, he tried too hard. In a game where Canada were totally frustrated, Davies resorted to hero ball a bit too often to his team's detriment.
Without two key midfielders and one starting defender, the USMNT faced a tough test. Davies is arguably the best player in the region, someone that can change a gam singlehandedly due to his pace. To counteract that, the U.S. needed a gameplan, and B.J. Callaghan nailed it.
Joe Scally, a player that is familiar with Davies from the Bundesliga, slotted in at right back and was strong. Brenden Aaronson, a pressing monster, was put into central midfield specifically to bother Davies. That duo totally strangled the Canadian star, leaving him ineffective throughout the first half.
By the second, the U.S. was in control and Davies was trying too hard. It wasn't his day,and it certainly wasn't Canada's either.