the United State The men's national soccer team continued its dominance of the CONCACAF Nations League – and its regional rivals Mexico – with a 2-0 win and third straight title in the competition at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday night.
Tyler Adams Thunderbolt scored in the first half, and Giovanni Reina He added the second goal after the break with a powerful shot, giving the American team victory with a famous goal.”Dos Cero“The result and measure of redemption after an uninspiring win Jamaica In the Nations League semi-final on Thursday.
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Adams, who came on as a substitute at halftime as a precaution, said: “I don't score goals like this all the time, but I'm happy that I can score a goal like this today.”
“I always turn up for the big games,” added Adams, who has just returned from injury to play for his club Bournemouth.
The result saw Gregg Berhalter's team retain the European Nations League title, after winning the first two editions of the competition, in 2021 and 2023, and extending its unbeaten run against Mexico to a record seven matches.
Adams, who made his first start for the United States in 475 days, turned the game on its head at the end of the first half, firing a stunning shot from long range to score. Guillermo Ochoa It gave the Americans a narrow lead in the first half.
“People have a lot of question marks about this,” Adams said. “But to see what we do week after week when we have the opportunity to work together, we continue to grow.”
As Mexico sought to get back into the match, Reina took advantage of a poor clearance from the penalty area and fired a shot directly past Ochoa at the near post to double the American score.
Referee Drew Fisher stopped the game shortly before regular time, then stopped it again in extra time in line with step two of CONCACAF's anti-discrimination protocol after anti-gay chants were repeatedly heard from the crowd as he attacked the American goalkeeper. Matt Turner He took his own goal kicks.
Last year's UEFA Nations League semifinal between the United States and Mexico in Las Vegas ended about four minutes early due to chants from Mexican fans, who for years have insulted opposing teams' goalkeepers.
After suffering a right hamstring injury that required surgery twice, Adams had not played for the United States since the 2022 World Cup before coming on in the 63rd minute on Thursday and then leaving in the 100th minute due to a minutes restriction.
His appearances at the club were limited to 21 minutes between March 11, 2023 and March 13, when he returned from injury and participated for 20 minutes for Bournemouth against Luton Town in the English Premier League.
Adams joins Josh Wolff as the only Americans in the past 40 years to score his first two own goals El Tri; Adams also scored in a friendly match against Mexico in September 2018.
Still on the minutes limit, Adams was replaced by Johnny Cardoso early in the second half on Sunday.
“Typical Tyler, we get into an argument in the locker room and he wants to play more. Guys wonder why he can't play more?” Berhalter said. “As much as I wanted him in the game, because I did, this is a safety thing. We want to make sure he comes back in a healthy way because he has a lot of games to play.”
Berhalter has agreed to a maximum minutes limit with Bournemouth. Adams said he will likely be restricted to 60 minutes this weekend when he returns to playing for his club.
Adams said: “Leaving at halftime was clearly disappointing, especially after scoring a goal and helping the team.” “So, yeah, I understand we have to be smart about the long-term plan.”
Reina, who was limited to one league match this season with Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest, scored his eighth international goal. Christian Pulisic's cross was blocked by defender Johan Vazquez. The ball deflected from American striker Hajj Wright and returned to Vasquez, who tried to clear the ball with his head. Reina let the ball bounce and beat Ochoa to the near post from 16 yards.
“It's good for momentum,” Reyna said. “We have been with our core group for a while and I think we know what it takes to win big matches and tournaments and hopefully we can achieve that in the Copa America and have a great run there.”
Fisher was initially awarded a penalty for Anthony Robinson's challenge on Santiago Jimenez shortly after Reina's goal. But after a video review by Nicaragua's Tatiana Guzman, the referee overturned the error and gave the striker a yellow card for the simulation.
Berhalter made five changes to his starting lineup on Thursday in the 3-1 extra-time win over Jamaica, adding right-back Serginho Dest, central defender Tim Ream, midfielders Adams and Reyna, and striker Wright. They replaced Joe Scully, Myles Robinson, Yunus Musa, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun.
Mexico coach Jaime Lozano brought on right-back Jorge Sanchez and striker Hirving Lozano in place of Julian Araujo and Julian Quiñones.
Both the United States and Mexico will now begin preparing for this summer's Copa America, which will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14. Furthermore, they will be looking forward to the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States. United States, Mexico and Canada.
“Before we know it, 2026 will be here,” Berhalter said.
Jamaica beat Panama 1-0 in the third place match thanks to Dexter Lembekissa's goal in the 41st minute.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
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