LAS VEGAS: The United States beat Canada 2-0 on Sunday at the Allegiant Stadium as they retained their CONCACAF Nations League title.

First-half goals from Chris Richards and Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun were enough to give the United States the victory in their first meeting with Canada in a tournament final.

Richards opened the scoring when he headed home a Gio Reyna corner in the 12th minute. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Reyna was again the provider in the 34th minute when his through ball was dispatched by Balogun into the bottom corner.

Reyna had to go off at the interval with an ankle injury and the US looked less fluent without him but they showed plenty of spirit to neutralise Canada.

“We got the result tonight and we put in a top performance once again. We fought, we battled,” said US captain Christian Pulisic.

“It’s another step in the right direction. It’s just going to be about these knockout games come those big tournaments — Copa America, World Cup — when times get tough we’ve got to step up, score the goals when it counts and keep them out of our goal. We did a good job of that tonight,” he said.

The US, being led by interim coach B.J Callaghan ahead of Gregg Berhalter’s return to the team, gave few opportunities to a Canada team who remain without a trophy in 23 years.

The best chance for Canada fell to Cyle Larin in the 67th minute but after his drive was blocked, he put his second attempt high over the bar.

Alphonso Davies was kept quiet for much of the game with the US doubling up their marking on him. Davies’ chances only came in the final stages when some desperate blocks from the Americans kept him out.

The game was the last of long-time Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson’s international career. The 40-year-old, who helped his nation reach the 2022 World Cup after a 36-year absence but did not feature on Sunday.

Mexico beat Panama 1-0 earlier on Sunday in the third-place match.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2023