El Tri no match for Team USA, winners of a third consecutive Nations League title

The better team won. 

And with the convincing 2-0 victory over Mexico, Team USA collected its third Concacaf Nations League trophy.

A Tyler Adams rocket just before the half and a Giovanni Reyna volley from the top of the box were all the Stars-and-Stripes needed to extend their unbeaten streak over El Tri to seven matches.

On the wrong end of the dreaded dos a cero scoreline, Mexico coach Jaime Lozano will hear complaints about his line-up choices, and his failure to make changes at the half.

El Tri lacked ambition early

Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa made a sparkling save just 5 minutes in, getting his right mitt on a Christian Pulisic shot from close range, but the El Tri captain would not be called on again until just before the break.

Gregg Berhalter’s men bossed the midfield for most of the match and their high press seemed to rattle Mexico, prompting hurried clearances that allowed Team USA to dominate possession.

Under constant pressure, El Tri stayed disciplined at the back with Johan Vásquez and César Montes collaborating to disrupt U.S. attacks, although it must be said that Team USA was not at its best. But Mexico was worse.

As halftime approached, Lozano’s side was completing passes at a 66% clip, a sloppiness that explains its meager 38% possession. El Tri would have been delighted to take a scoreless draw into the locker room.

Then Adams stepped up. 

The U.S. maintained possession after a corner kick, working it back down the left flank as Mexico’s defense clustered around the top of the box. Weston McKennie dropped it back to the middle to Adams who had plenty of time to size up his shot before ripping a banger from 30+ meters past Ochoa who might have down more.

When doing nothing is the wrong answer

El Tri trudged to the locker room cursing its luck, but Lozano failed to act, despite having several readily identifiable candidates for replacement. This being Mexico’s second game in three days, fresh legs might have made a difference.

Wingers Uriel Antuna and Chucky Lozano were ciphers, while left back Jesús Gallardo and midfielder Luis Chávez were not contributing. Antuna, Gallardo and Chávez had played all 90 minutes against Panama on Thursday, and Orbelín Pineda, Gerardo Arteaga and Roberto Alvarado are quality back-ups.

In minute 63, Antuna gave the ball away on the far sideline and pulled down Reyna to stop the counter. 

The U.S. quickly restarted play and Pulisic got past Jorge Sánchez along the endline, sending in a low cross that Vásquez got his foot on. The ball ricocheted back to Vásquez and he headed it clear but not out of danger. Reyna was first to the ball and he sent a first-time volley past Ochoa at the near post.

Down 2-0, Lozano finally reacted, sending in Pineda and Santiago Giménez, but it made little difference. There was a brief moment of hope when ref Drew Fischer signaled a penalty on U.S. defender Anton Robinson in minute 72 but VAR quickly rectified the errant call.

Down 2-0, Lozano finally reacted, sending in Pineda and Santiago Giménez, but it made little difference. There was a brief moment of hope when ref Drew Fischer signaled a penalty on U.S. defender Anton Robinson in minute 72 but VAR quickly rectified the errant call.

Although the Mexicans had the ball more (possession up to 43% at the 75-minute mark, but passing accuracy still a middling 68%), they were unable to get past the sturdy American back line.

El Tri did finish the game on the front foot but did not manage another shot on goal, finishing with just two on the night, neither of which worried Matt Turner.

With the latest win, Team USA now has a seven-game unbeaten streak against El Tri, their best stretch in their rivalry against Mexico.