UEFA Nations League Balogun on target as USA defeat Canada to lift title

The U.S. Men’s National Team won the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League title with a 2-0 victory over Canada at Allegiant Stadium on Monday.

Center back Chris Richards and forward Folarin Balogun became the first and second players to score their first international goals in a final, with both first-half goals assisted by midfielder Gio Reyna as the USMNT claimed its third consecutive Concacaf tournament, adding to its 2021 Nations League and 2021 Gold Cup titles.

It was Reyna, who whipped in a perfectly placed corner for Richards to get a head-on – with the defender knocking the ball past the diving arms of Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan to put it in the back of the net.

Arsenal striker Balogun, making just his second appearance since switching his national team allegiance from England, grabbed the second goal for the US after Chris Richards had headed them in front in the 12th minute.

Born in the United States to Nigerian parents and raised in England, Balogun was eligible to represent any of the three nations at international level. After playing for England at the U17 level and appearing in the 2018 Uefa European U17 Championship, he accepted a call-up from the United States U18 national team in August 2018 for a training camp and a tournament in the Czech Republic.

USA captain and forward Christian Pulisic was named the tournament’s Best Player and goalkeeper Matt Turner took Best Goalkeeper honors. Forward Ricardo Pepi finished tied with Canada’s Jonathan David with four goals in the tournament.


Dennis Mabuka

Dennis Mabuka is a seasoned Kenyan journalist with 18 years of experience covering sports events. He is currently a sport content creator with en.Africatopsports.com.

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