PARADISE, NV — Less than an hour after the US National Team defeated Mexico, Captain America felt the need to provide a reminder. Shirts would still be drenched in sweat, emotions still simmering, when Christian Pulisic felt the mood was creeping up a bit. “Three, dammit, zero. That’s amazing,” interim coach P.J. Callahan affirmed to a locker room full of victorious players. But it was only a semi-final, so Pulisic spoke without a shirt.
“Be humble, guys.” Polisik intervened. “Enjoy it tonight, enjoy it tonight, but we’re here to win the final. We’re here to beat Canada.”
That’s what they will try to do on Sunday night against them last Regional competitors, at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final (9:06 p.m. ET, Paramount+/Univision). On Thursday, they made their “corrupt statement,” a.k.a Polisic request. On Sunday, they’ll go in search of another trophy — and Canada will be chasing their first trophy in more than two decades.
The USMNT will be short-handed, without Weston McKinney and Serginho Dest, who were both suspended after red cards against Mexico. Canada will be confident, having beaten and tied with the United States in the World Cup Qualifiers, and secured the top of the CONCACAF table.
“I think we’ve earned the respect of everyone in this area,” Canadian defender Alistair Johnston said on Saturday. “But now, it’s time we start raising cups to show everyone, ourselves and our fan base back home, that we are a real team.”
But the USMNT, the reigning kings of CONCACAF, will have their say.
Catch the match between the USMNT and Canada below with our live stream:
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