Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna score goals as USMNT defeats Mexico for Nations League title
Goals by Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna led the U.S. men's national team to a 2-0victory over Mexico in the final of the Concacaf Nations League in Arlington,Texas, for a third consecutive title.
Adams scored in the 45th minute and Reyna extended the lead in the 63rd.
The U.S. won the inaugural Nations League final 3-2 in extra time over Mexicoin 2021 and took the second title in 2023, besting Mexico in the semifinalbefore downing Canada, 2-0.
The Americans have a seven-game unbeaten streak in the series (5-0-2) sinceMexico's last victory, 3-0 in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 6, 2019.
Adams stunned the Mexicans with a screamer from 35 yards to the upper leftcorner. He has two goals in 38 U.S. matches. The other was against Mexico onSept. 11, 2018.
The oft-injured midfielder made his first start for the U.S. since the loss toNetherlands in the World Cup Round of 16 on Dec. 3, 2022, a span of 475 days.
Adams, who is coming off two surgeries on his hamstrings, was on a 45-minutelimit and was replaced at halftime by Johnny Cardoso.
Reyna, who came off the bench Wednesday to assist a pair of extra time goalsby Haji Wright in the 3-1 semifinal win over Jamaica, struck from the upperleft side of the box.
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Christian Pulisic made a swerving dribble at the end line to send the ball infront of the goal, where it was cleared by Mexican defender Johan Vasquez toReyna, who has two goals and five assists in his past five Nations Leaguematches.
A penalty was awarded to Mexico's Santiago Gimenez in the 72nd minute after ahigh kick by Antonee Robinson but it was quickly overturned video review andGimenez was carded for embellishment.
Until Adams' brilliance, the best scoring opportunity for either side came inthe fifth minute when Pulisic dribbled into the box to force a save byGuillermo Ochoa at the near post. Pulisic targeted the upper corner, but Ochoagot both arms above his head to parry the attempt.
The match was delayed for about five minutes in the 88th minute and againbriefly in the 96th minute because the pro-Mexican crowd made homophobicchants on U.S. goal kicks.
