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USA vs Canada live score, updates, highlights as Balogun scores for USMNT in CONCACAF Nations League final
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USA vs Canada live score, updates, highlights as Balogun scores for USMNT in CONCACAF Nations League final


The USA and Canada will be facing off in their first final when they contest the CONCACAF Nations League final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The U.S. are defending champions of this tournament, so they’ll clearly wish to go home with another continental trophy and remain the only country to have won the Nations League, but there’s far more at stake in this match.

While questions fly about Mexico’s potential decline as the dominant CONCACAF force, an opposite yet equally compelling miasma floats around Canada’s rise to prominence.

Les Rouges, under John Herdman’s guidance, finished atop the World Cup qualifying standings in the last cycle, signaling their intent to the rest of the region turn the dual dominance of the U.S. and Mexico into a three-headed monster.

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Now, in their first continental final since the 2000 Gold Cup, Canada are hoping that hoisting their first trophy in 23 years will serve as not just a warning, but a statement to the world that they are no longer to be trifled with.

The Sporting News is following the USA vs. Canada match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

MORE: Stream USA vs. Mexico live on Paramount+. Try it FREE with promo code “CONCACAF”!

USA vs Canada live score

 Score (HT)Goal scorers
USA2Richards (12′), Balogun (34′)
Canada0–

Confirmed lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 19. Scally, 4. Richards, 3. Zimmerman, 5. A. Robinson — 11. Aaronson, 6. Musah, 7. Reyna (de la Torre, 46′) — 21. Weah, 20. Balogun, 10. Pulisic.

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Canada (3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston (Vitoria, 61′), 4. Miller, 23. Kennedy (Adekugbe, 61′) — 22. Laryea, 8. Kone, 7. Eustaquio, 21. Osorio (Buchanan, 61′), 19. Davies — 20. David, 17. Larin.

USA vs Canada live updates, highlights, commentary

USA vs Canada: Second Half

60th min: Alphonso Davies beats Joe Scally near the end line to feed a vicious cross onto the doorstep, but there’s nobody crashing to meet it, and Antonee Robinson clears. A very dangerous moment goes begging.

Canada makes a triple substitution, taking off Alistair Johnston, Scott Kennedy, and Jonathan Osorio, bringing on Steven Vitoria, Sam Adekugbe, and Tajon Buchanan.

56th min: Chance, USA! HOW DID THE U.S. not score?!?! Chris Richards, looking for a shocking brace, forces Milan Borjan into a sensational save, touching his effort off the crossbar. The ensuing corner sees the U.S. come close again, as Balogun’s shot is blocked off the line by Scott Kennedy. Balogun probably should have scored there, but his effort had beaten Borjan, so there’s not much else he can do.

Watch in USA:

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54th min: Chance, USA! Folarin Balogun forces a save from Milan Borjan, after being fed through by Antonee Robinson down the left. The U.S. continues to cook, and Canada have very few answers. Tim Weah takes a long-distance hit on the corner, and it’s got a ton of venom, but can’t quite get through the trees.

53rd min: Alphonso Davies lets a shot fly from a tight angle to the left, one that had very little chance of success, blazing it miles over the bar. It’s a moment of frustration for the Canada playmaker, who has been very quiet this match.

Kickoff: The second half is under way, and unfortunately, Gio Reyna is not amongst the U.S. squad on the field. He’s been replaced by Luca de la Torre, which is an indication that Reyna may be hurt. He was spectacular in the first half, but got hurt near the end of play, and limped into the locker room. That’s a shame, because the U.S. will need him moving forward. Reyna has had injury issues in his career, and U.S. Soccer announced that he has a calf injury.

No changes for Canada, which is a bit of a surprise given how poorly they played in the first half. It wouldn’t have been shocking to see tScott Kennedy withdrawn — he has been carded, and was beat on Folarin Balogun’s goal.

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HALFTIME: USA 2-0 Canada

The first half ends with another glorious set-piece for the U.S. with Christian Pulisic feeding Gio Reyna at the far post, whose header nearly ends up on the doorstep for Folarin Balogun, but he just can’t cap off the scramble.

The United States absolutely dominated the first 45 minutes, and have a 2-0 lead to show for it. Chris Richards opened the scoring, and Folarin Balogun added a second. Both players become the first two in U.S. history to score their first-ever international goal in a final.

The USMNT has won 50 consecutive games when leading by two goals, dating back to 2014. There is an issue for Gio Reyna, who will need to prove fit, or he could be replaced by Luca de la Torre after the break.

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USA vs Canada: First Half

45+4 min: Christian Pulisic takes a kick on the calf from Richie Laryea, and the Canadian defender gets a yellow card for his effort.

45th min: The U.S. players are frustrating Canadian midfielders, and Canadian players are resorting to fouls. Gio Reyna is pushed by Stephen Eustaquio right into Alistair Johnston, and then Folarin Balogun is held back in midfield to draw the whistle. Reyna looks to be in some pain, and the training staff comes out to work on his ankle.

Reyna gets up and returns to play, but he is sporting a pretty significant limp.

42nd min: Chance, USA! Gio Reyna is a man possessed. He skins three Canadian defenders by dribbling out of his own half, and he feeds Christian Pulisic who is felled and earns a dangerous free-kick.

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Watch in USA:

Pulisic takes the set-piece but just lays it off for Tim Weah, who takes an absolute rip, seeking the bottom-left corner. It’s met by a great save from Milan Borjan, who gets across to his right and makes the diving save.

39th min: Chance, Canada! Matt Turner makes another good save! This time the effort comes from a tight angle to the left, and he’s needed to make another stop before the return effort is blocked by Antonee Robinson. Canada are building into this match now, and threatening the U.S. back line.

37th min: Chance, Canada! Matt Turner makes a good save off Stephen Eustaquio who makes a final-third tackle and snatches the ball away. He stumbles on the tackle, but gets up and has a hit. Ultimately, it’s a relatively tame effort, and Turner is up to the task.

34th min: GOAL! USA! Folarin Balogun has his first U.S. goal, and it’s Gio Reyna who assists again! Reyna drives right past Stephen Eustaquio, and slides a perfect vertical ball for Balogun streaking by Scott Kennedy on goal. Balogun, who slid right around the outside shoulder of Kennedy, finishes with a thumping right-footed hit, and he puts the U.S. 2-0 up.

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

28th min: Chance, USA! Folarin Balogun has a big chance at the top of the 18-yard box, but as he tried to chest the ball down, the ball pops up in the air instead of down to his feet, and under heavy pressure from Scott Kennedy, the striker can’t get his header on target. Balogun took a pretty heavy shot from Kennedy on the attempt, and is down needing treatment. The staff appears to be doing a concussion test.

23rd min: Many journalists and fans have noticed that one potential reason for Brenden Aaronson’s presence in the U.S. lineup is to give Joe Scally help with Alphonso Davies. Every time Davies receives the ball, Aaronson is right in his face. Aaronson is a pressing wizard from the Red Bull developmental system, and he’s so far doing a great job. Davies has 24 touches so far, but to very little effect.

Canada appears to have responded by switching Davies to the right wing.

15th min: Scott Kennedy, who came into the starting lineup in place of Steven Vitoria, picks up an early yellow card for a late tackle that sends Gio Reyna flying in midfield.

12th min: GOAL! USA! Chris Richards rises high like a salmon to meet a corner, and bags his first international goal! Gio Reyna’s delivery goes right to the top of the six-yard box, and with Folarin Balogun screening a defender, Richards meets it and drives the ball into the ground. With Milan Borjan sliding across the goal left to right, the ball goes behind his movement and he can’t turn his body in time.

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It’s the first goal off a corner for the United States in a whopping 13 games, dating back to the 2022 Gold Cup. Additionally, it’s Richards’ first goal for the U.S. national team on just his third-ever shot attempt!

Watch in USA:

Watch in Canada:

11th min: Tim Weah deep down the right feeds a driven lateral cross along the end line to Folarin Balogun at the near post, but the ball gets stuck at his feet and he can’t turn it goalward.

9th min: Canada do what they do best and counter well, with pace down the right through Ismael Kone. He feeds Jonathan David who takes a shot, but from a relatively tight angle and marshaled to the outside, his hit is right at Matt Turner. A warning shot for the U.S. defense to keep in mind. Kone is a really bright young player.

8th min: Chance, USA! With a third recycle after a corner, Walker Zimmerman out of nowhere has a hit on goal, and it’s not far away! He rips it from outside the penalty area, and while that’s not exactly a place you want a center-back shooting, he nearly makes it worth the risk!

3rd min: The U.S. has the first good attacking move, with Gio Reyna and Tim Weah combining down the right side of the 18-yard box. Reyna takes a tight-angle shot, but it’s held easily by Milan Borjan, who could be making one of his final Canada appearances.

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Oh, and Gio Reyna is not wearing the mask. He’s not the first player to hate playing with it on. Heung Min-Son talked repeatedly about how he couldn’t see with it on.

Kickoff: They’re under way in Las Vegas! The final of the CONCACAF Nations League is now in play, and a confederation trophy is on the line. Can the U.S. win the second Nations League title in two years, and remain the only team to win the new competition, or will Canada follow up its No. 1 spot in World Cup qualifying with its first trophy in over two decades?

The United States are sporting their youngest-ever lineup for a final, and Gio Reyna, Joe Scally, and Yunus Musah make the first trio of 20-year-olds to start a final.

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USA vs Canada: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

5 mins to kick: How about this one U.S. fan who went all-out to honor the suspended Weston McKennie for standing up for his teammates.

15 mins to kick: Gio Reyna reportedly suffered a broken nose in the collision with Uriel Antuna in the semifinal against Mexico, and he’s sporting a mask in pre-match warmups tonight.

Well…he was, but he’s taken it off after just a couple of minutes, according to those in the stadium. The initial report by Alex Calabrese did mention that Gio’s family wasn’t sure if he’d actually wear it, so maybe the mask has already worn out its welcome.

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30 mins to kick: Atiba Hutchinson will be a part of the final Canada match of his glittering career. Hutchinson, with 104 caps and potentially 105 after tonight if he comes off the bench, has been an integral part of Canada’s rise to CONCACAF prominence over the last few years. He has certainly earned legend status in the Canadian game once he retires.

45 mins to kick: It’s all final in the third-place match as Mexico top Panama 1-0, but it wasn’t the overwhelming turnaround that Diego Cocca would have been hoping for. He’s only lost one of his first seven matches in charge, but none of them have been especially promising, and he’s under intense pressure from El Tri fans for his style of play, lineup selections, and general tactical approach.

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It’s unlikely that Mexico would fire Cocca with the Gold Cup right around the corner, but after that tournament, there will surely be an inquest into how the team has underperformed during his short tenure, and if a change is needed.

If it’s any indication of how the Mexican team is perceived at the moment, the crowd was incredibly sparse for the first of tonight’s double-header.

55 mins to kick: There’s a bit of a contentious lineup selection for the United States, as BJ Callaghan has gone all-out with attacking players, putting Brenden Aaronson into midfield over the option of Luca de la Torre. With Weston McKennie suspended and Tyler Adams injured, it seemed like de la Torre would be the natural choice to slide in.

Against a Canada side that loves to counter-attack, there could be gaps in the U.S. midfield without a truly defensive-minded player in the trio. We’ll see if Callaghan comes to regret that move at the end of the match.

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1 hour, 10 mins to kick: The lineups are in, and the United States have deployed an exceptionally attacking lineup, hoping to follow up the 3-0 win over Mexico by swarming Canada as well. Folarin Balogun again starts up front, and he is supported by Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, and Tim Weah.

To counter, Canada have Alphonso Davies available from the start, after he came off the bench against Panama, and he will go up against Joe Scally, who is in place of the suspended Sergino Dest.

1 hour, 32 mins to kick: The U.S. national team Twitter account released a really cool — and very rare — behind-the-scenes video from the win over Mexico on Thursday. There’s some really fun content in this nine-minute video, but there are some newsworthy moments as well.

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Most notably, the video includes Weston McKennie apologizing to the team for his red card against Mexico which left him suspended, and then pumping them up with words of encouragement that highlight the team’s depth. McKennie’s explitive-laden apology read, “This whole f—— team that’s in here, that’s what f—— matters. And I have complete faith in every single last one of you f—— players that we’re going to lift another trophy come the 18th.” The team applauded McKennie after his short speech.

BJ Callaghan said in his post-match press conference that he was proud of McKennie and Sergino Dest despite their red cards, and he echoed that in his locker room speech, saying “I know that it comes from a good place, from sticking up for each other.”

Also of note from the video is Christian Pulisic’s brief words before the Mexico match, where he claims “we’re not the underdogs.” Which, to be fair, was true. They’re certainly not the underdogs here tonight either.

1 hour, 45 mins to kick: While Tyler Adams will surely have reason to disagree, it’s not an absolutely wild assertion that Stephen Eustaquio is the best midfielder in CONCACAF. The Porto man has risen prominently over the past 12 months, and while he might not be his country’s “best” player, with Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David still with reason to that badge, Eustaquio has certainly become Canada’s most influential player.

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It will be of paramount importance for the U.S. midfield to nullify Eustaquio if they are to win this continental title. With Adams injured and Weston McKennie suspended, that will be a tall order.

2 hours to kickoff: The USA’s re-hiring of Gregg Berhalter has sparked plenty of debate in among the USMNT fan base, but Berhalter will not lead the team here or at the upcoming Gold Cup. 

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker preferred to hold Berhalter back in favor of developing a long-term plan, but Berhalter is yet again the team’s patriarch, and his influence will be felt from this point on.

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USA vs Canada lineups, team news

For their red cards in the chaotic semifinal, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest will play no part in tonight’s final, suspended after their early departures. Those are big losses for the USMNT, especially McKennie who has been essential to the U.S. midfield. Aside from replacing those two, with Brenden Aaronson and Joe Scally entering, BJ Callaghan made just one other change.

Walker Zimmerman enters in place of Miles Robinson, who is reportedly injured,  yet listed amongst the substitutes. Robinson’s availability for the match is unknown.

Ricardo Pepi could maybe have been rewarded for his goal against Mexico with a start up front, but it’s new commit Folarin Balogun who yet again gets the start. Balogun did contribute in his debut cap, and it would have been a harsh decision to sit the Arsenal youngster.

USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Matt Turner (GK) — Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson — Luca de la Torre, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna — Timothy Weah, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic.

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USA subs (10): Callender (GK), S. Johnson (GK), M. Robinson, Trusty, Cardoso, de la Torre, Sonora, Booth, Zendejas, Pepi.

Manager John Herdman has been known to chop and change his lineup and formation from game to game, making it extremely difficult to predict how Canada will play. The biggest question was the status of Alphonso Davies, who missed the final six Bundesliga matches of the season with a hamstring injury, but after he came off the bench against Panama in the semifinal, he starts here in the final.

Herdman has chosen to change out a center-back, with Scott Kennedy entering for Steven Vitoria, and Jonathan Osorio enters in place of Tajon Buchanan.

Canada confirmed starting lineup (3-5-2): Milan Borjan (GK) — Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Scott Kennedy — Richie Laryea, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Alphonso Davies — Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.

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Canada subs (12): St. Clair (GK), McGill (GK), Adekugbe, Vitoria, Zator, Bombito, Wotherspoon, Loturi, Hutchinson, Hoilett, Buchanan, Cavallini.

USA vs Canada live stream, TV channel

  • Date: Sunday, June 18, 2023
  • Time: 9:06 p.m. ET
  • USA TV & streaming: Univision, TUDN, Fubo, Paramount+, TUDN site/app
  • Canada TV & streaming: Telus Optik TV (Ch. 980), Fubo, OneSoccer

USA

The match will only be televised in Spanish on TUDN and Univision, with both channels streaming on Fubo, available to new users on a free trial.

There will be an English-language stream exclusively available on Paramount+, with a free trial also available there by using the promo code “CONCACAF.”

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Canada

In Canada, the game will be televised by Telus Optik TV (Ch. 980) and the OneSoccer broadcast will stream on Fubo as well as on OneSoccer’s site and app.

USA vs Canada betting odds, lines

The United States are heavy favorites, even with their pair of suspensions to Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest.

However, the U.S. will be wary of their opponent in this final. The two have not met since World Cup qualifying last year, with Canada achieving a result in both meetings — first a draw in the United States in September of 2021, followed by a 2-0 victory at home in late January of 2022.

In fact, Canada has earned either a draw or a win in five of the last seven meetings between these two teams across all competitions, dating back to a pair of friendlies in 2012 and 2013.

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 USA win
(90 mins)		DrawCanada win
(90 mins)		Both teams
to score Y / N		Over / Under
2.5 goals		USA
win title		Canada
win title
BetMGM
(USA)		+100+210+230+105 / -150+130 / -185-185+135
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)		+107+215+235+101 / -159+136 / -192——

Published: 2023-06-19 03:12:00

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