Folarin Balogun scored his first goal for the United States in its 2-0 win over Canada on Sunday in the Concacaf Nations League final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
First-half goals from Chris Richards and Balogun put the U.S. on its way to a team record third-consecutive title in Concacaf competitions following wins in the 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup.
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The U.S. was without Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie, both of whom were out for the match after picking up red cards in a fiery semifinal win over Mexico on Thursday. Interim coach B.J. Callaghan, still overseeing the team after Gregg Berhalter was rehired on Friday, started Joe Scally and Brenden Aaronson in place of his two suspended players.
Richards kept the momentum from Thursday going for the U.S. with an early goal, powering a header from Giovanni Reyna‘s corner kick past Milan Borjan in the Canada goal in the 12th minute.
The U.S. doubled its lead later in the first half with a classy finish from Balogun, who picked up a through ball from Reyna after a giveaway from Canada and fired past Borjan from a tight angle to notch his first goal for the Americans since committing his international future to the team.
Reyna, who was stellar for Callaghan in the first half, came off at the break after being on the receiving end of a hard foul from Canada’s Richie Laryea and was replaced by Luca de la Torre.
Canada looked dangerous at times in the second half, but a resolute U.S. defense and more solid play in goal from Matt Turner kept John Herdman’s team off the scoresheet as the U.S. was able to win the trophy for the second time.
The result means the U.S. extended its home unbeaten streak against Canada to 22 games dating back to 1957, while Canada remained without a title since the 2000 Gold Cup.
In the consolation match earlier on Sunday, Mexico held on to beat Panama 1-0 to take third place in the four-team final.
