LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Goals from Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun delivered a second straight Concacaf Nations League crown to the United States, who defeated Canada 2-0 in the 2022-23 CNL Final on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun etched their names into the U.S. Soccer record books by becoming the first and second players to score their first career U.S. goals in a final.
Aiding the cause was MF Gio Reyna, who supplied the assist on both goals. In two CNL Finals, Reyna has been involved in four of the five U.S. goals, with one goal and three assists total.
The two teams had an energetic start and minutes after a screaming volley from Walker Zimmerman went wide, the U.S. broke the deadlock when Zimmerman’s center back partner, Richards, took a corner kick swung in by Reyna and squeezed a header past Canada GK Milan Borjan in the 12’ for a 1-0 lead.
Canada looked to respond with their speed down the flanks, but the U.S. defense was alert and allowed their attack to strike another big blow later in the 34’, as Reyna slipped in a pass to Balogun, who hammered home a right-footed shot to double the margin to 2-0.
Canada were unfazed and lurched forward in attack themselves, forcing U.S. GK Matt Turner into a couple diving saves, including on a stinging effort from Richie Laryea in the 38’.
There was also another chance for the U.S. to add to their lead toward the end of the half, with a Timothy Weah right-footed shot requiring a fingertip save from Borjan.
The U.S. kept their foot on the gas into the second stanza and came achingly close to a third goal in rapid succession when a Richards header glanced off the crossbar, followed by a Balogun shot from point-blank range blocked by Canada DF Scott Kennedy.
Canada were just as involved at the other end through the dynamic play of left winger Alphonso Davies, who made life uncomfortable for Turner and the U.S. defense.
As time ticked down into the final 10 minutes, Canada made one final charge to try to pull a goal back, but the U.S. defense never wavered, seeing things out until the final whistle to secure their second CNL title.
