2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals
Tournament details
Host countryUnited States
DatesJune 15–18
Teams4
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions United States (2nd title)
Runners-up Canada
Third place Mexico
Fourth place Panama
Tournament statistics
Matches played4
Goals scored8 (2 per match)
Top scorer(s) Christian Pulisic
(2 goals)
Best player(s) Christian Pulisic
Best goalkeeper Matt Turner
2021
2024

The 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals was the final tournament of the 2022–23 edition of the CONCACAF Nations League, the second season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the 41 member associations of CONCACAF. The event was held from June 15 to 18, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, United States, and was contested by the four group winners of League A.[1]

The United States defeated Canada 2–0 in the final to secure a second consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title.[2]

Format

The CONCACAF Nations League Finals took place in June 2023 and was contested by the four group winners of League A. The tournament took place over four days and was played in single-leg knockout matches, consisting of two semi-finals on June 15, and a third place play-off and final three days after the second semi-final on June 18, 2023.

In the Finals, if the scores were level at the end of normal time:[3]

  • In the semi-finals and final, 30 minutes of extra time would be played. If the score was still level after extra time, the winner was determined by a penalty shoot-out.
  • In the third place play-off, extra time would not be played, and the winner would be determined by a penalty shoot-out.

Venue

Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas Area, was announced as the venue for the event on March 20, 2023.[4][5]

City Stadium
Location of the host city of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Paradise
(Las Vegas Area)
Allegiant Stadium
Capacity: 61,000

Qualified teams

The four group winners of League A qualified for the Nations League Finals.

Group Winners Date of
qualification
CONCACAF Rankings
May 2023
FIFA Rankings
April 2023
A  Mexico March 26, 2023 1 15
B  Panama March 28, 2023 5 58
C  Canada March 28, 2023 4 47
D  United States (host) March 27, 2023 2 13

Seeding

The four teams were ranked based on their results in the group stage to determine the semi-final matchups. The first seed played the fourth seed and the second seed played the third seed.[1]

Seed Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 D  United States (H) 4 3 1 0 14 2 +12 10
2 B  Panama 4 3 1 0 8 0 +8 10
3 C  Canada 4 3 0 1 11 3 +8 9
4 A  Mexico 4 2 2 0 8 3 +5 8
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts

Squads

Each national team had to submit a squad of 23 players, three of whom had to be goalkeepers, at least ten days before the opening match of the tournament. If a player became injured or ill severely enough to prevent his participation from the tournament before his team's first match, he could be replaced by another player.[3]

Bracket

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
June 15 – Paradise
 
 
 Panama0
 
June 18 – Paradise
 
 Canada2
 
 Canada0
 
June 15 – Paradise
 
 United States2
 
 United States3
 
 
 Mexico0
 
Third place play-off
 
 
June 18 – Paradise
 
 
 Panama0
 
 
 Mexico1

All times are local, PDT (UTC−7).

Semi-finals

Panama vs Canada

Panama 0–2 Canada
Report
  • David 25'
  • Davies 70'
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)


Panama
Canada
GK 22 Orlando Mosquera
RB 2 César Blackman  42'
CB 3 Harold Cummings  82'
CB 4 Fidel Escobar
LB 23 Michael Amir Murillo  46'
RM 8 Adalberto Carrasquilla  63'  86'
CM 10 Yoel Bárcenas  74'
CM 16 Andrés Andrade
LM 20 Aníbal Godoy (c)  90'
CF 18 Cecilio Waterman  74'
CF 11 Ismael Díaz
Substitutions:
DF 15 Eric Davis  89'  46'
MF 6 Cristian Martínez  74'
FW 9 Azarías Londoño  74'
MF 7 Jovani Welch  82'
MF 21 César Yanis  86'
Manager:
Thomas Christiansen
GK 18 Milan Borjan (c)
RB 2 Alistair Johnston  69'
CB 5 Steven Vitória
CB 4 Kamal Miller
LB 3 Sam Adekugbe  62'
RM 22 Richie Laryea
CM 7 Stephen Eustáquio
CM 8 Ismaël Koné  75'
LM 17 Cyle Larin  75'
CF 20 Jonathan David
CF 11 Tajon Buchanan  62'
Substitutions:
MF 21 Jonathan Osorio  62'
FW 19 Alphonso Davies  62'
DF 23 Scott Kennedy  69'
MF 13 Atiba Hutchinson  75'
FW 10 Junior Hoilett  75'
Manager:
John Herdman

Man of the Match:
Jonathan David (Canada)[6]

Assistant referees:[7]
Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica)
Henri Pupiro (Nicaragua)
Fourth official:
Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
Video assistant referee:
Benjamín Pineda (Costa Rica)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Selvin Brown (Honduras)

United States vs Mexico

The match was temporarily stopped by the referee in the 90th minute due to homophobic chants from the Mexico fans. The referee initially allotted 12 minutes of stoppage time at the end of regulation, but he halted the match in the eighth minute of stoppage time amid more chants (though CONCACAF claimed the match was halted at the referee's discretion).[8][9][10]

United States 3–0 Mexico
Report
Attendance: 65,000


United States
Mexico
GK 1 Matt Turner
RB 2 Sergiño Dest  85'
CB 12 Miles Robinson  63'  81'
CB 4 Chris Richards  86'
LB 5 Antonee Robinson  60'
CM 8 Weston McKennie  71'
CM 6 Yunus Musah
RW 21 Timothy Weah  81'
AM 7 Giovanni Reyna  74'
LW 10 Christian Pulisic (c)  88'  88'
CF 20 Folarin Balogun  74'
Substitutions:
MF 14 Luca de la Torre  74'
FW 9 Ricardo Pepi  74'
DF 3 Walker Zimmerman  81'
FW 11 Brenden Aaronson  81'
DF 19 Joe Scally  88'
Manager:
B. J. Callaghan (interim)
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)  86'
CB 3 César Montes  69'
CB 22 Víctor Guzmán
CB 15 Israel Reyes  59'
RM 19 Jorge Sánchez
CM 4 Edson Álvarez  86'
CM 18 Luis Chávez
LM 23 Jesús Gallardo  54'
RF 21 Uriel Antuna  37'  77'
CF 20 Henry Martín  54'
LF 17 Orbelín Pineda  83'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Ozziel Herrera  54'
FW 11 Santiago Giménez  60'  54'
DF 6 Gerardo Arteaga  85'  77'
MF 16 Sebastián Córdova  83'
Manager:
Diego Cocca

Man of the Match:
Christian Pulisic (United States)[11]

Assistant referees:[7]
David Morán (El Salvador)
Juan Francisco Zumba (El Salvador)
Fourth official:
Walter López (Guatemala)
Video assistant referee:
Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)

Third place play-off

Panama 0–1 Mexico
Report
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)


Panama
Mexico
GK 1 Luis Mejía  76'
CB 4 Fidel Escobar
CB 3 Harold Cummings
CB 5 Roderick Miller  90+1'
RWB 10 Yoel Bárcenas
LWB 2 César Blackman
RM 17 José Fajardo
CM 20 Aníbal Godoy (c)  57'  65'
CM 8 Adalberto Carrasquilla  90+4'
LM 11 Ismael Díaz  83'
CF 19 Alberto Quintero  34'  83'
Substitutions:
MF 6 Cristian Martínez  78'  65'
FW 13 Freddy Góndola  83'
FW 18 Cecilio Waterman  83'
MF 7 Jovani Welch  90+4'
Manager:
Thomas Christiansen
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
RB 2 Julián Araujo  54'
CB 15 Israel Reyes  85'
CB 5 Johan Vásquez
LB 23 Jesús Gallardo  45+4'
CM 14 Érick Sánchez  81'
CM 7 Luis Romo  27'
CM 18 Luis Chávez
RF 21 Uriel Antuna  90+5'
CF 11 Santiago Giménez  87'
LF 9 Ozziel Herrera  31'  68'
Substitutions:
FW 17 Orbelín Pineda  68'
FW 20 Henry Martín  87'
MF 8 Charly Rodríguez  90+5'
 
Manager:
Diego Cocca

Man of the Match:
Jesús Gallardo (Mexico)[12]

Assistant referees:[13]
Ojay Duhaney (Jamaica)
Caleb Wales (Trinidad and Tobago)
Fourth official:
Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)
Video assistant referee:
Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Shirley Perello (Honduras)

Final

Canada 0–2 United States
Report
Attendance: 35,000
Canada
United States
GK 18 Milan Borjan (c)
CB 2 Alistair Johnston  60'
CB 23 Scott Kennedy  16'  61'
CB 4 Kamal Miller
RWB 22 Richie Laryea  45+4'
LWB 19 Alphonso Davies
CM 7 Stephen Eustáquio  89'
CM 8 Ismaël Koné
CM 21 Jonathan Osorio  61'
CF 20 Jonathan David
CF 17 Cyle Larin  76'
Substitutions:
FW 11 Tajon Buchanan  60'
DF 5 Steven Vitória  61'
DF 3 Sam Adekugbe  61'
FW 9 Lucas Cavallini  76'
FW 10 Junior Hoilett  89'
Manager:
John Herdman
GK 1 Matt Turner  81'
RB 19 Joe Scally  79'
CB 3 Walker Zimmerman
CB 4 Chris Richards
LB 5 Antonee Robinson
CM 11 Brenden Aaronson  68'
CM 6 Yunus Musah
RW 21 Timothy Weah
AM 7 Giovanni Reyna  46'
LW 10 Christian Pulisic (c)
CF 20 Folarin Balogun  76'
Substitutions:
MF 14 Luca de la Torre  46'
MF 15 Johnny Cardoso  80'  68'
FW 9 Ricardo Pepi  76'
DF 23 Auston Trusty  79'
Interim manager:
B. J. Callaghan

Man of the Match:
Giovanni Reyna (United States)[14]

Assistant referees:[13]
Walter López (Honduras)
Christian Ramírez (Honduras)
Fourth official:
Selvin Brown (Honduras)
Video assistant referee:
Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Benjamín Pineda (Costa Rica)

Statistics

Goalscorers

There were 8 goals scored in 4 matches, for an average of 2 goals per match.

2 goals

1 goal

Awards

CONCACAF announced the following squad as the best eleven of the Finals after the conclusion of the tournament.[15]

Christian Pulisic was named MVP of the tournament, having scored a total of three goals in the league and the finals play. Matt Turner was named best goalkeeper.[16]

Best XI
Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Matt Turner Jesús Gallardo
Chris Richards
Steven Vitória
Adalberto Carrasquilla
Yunus Musah
Alphonso Davies
Giovanni Reyna
Folarin Balogun
Christian Pulisic
Jonathan David

References

  1. ^ a b "Semifinal matchups and schedule confirmed for 2022/23 CNL Finals in Las Vegas". CONCACAF. March 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Richards, Balogun goals deliver another CNL crown to USA". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "CONCACAF Nations League 2022–2023 Regulations" (PDF). CONCACAF. pp. 14, 23. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "Las Vegas to host 2022/23 CNL Finals in June". CONCACAF.com. Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Akers, Mick (March 20, 2023). "Allegiant Stadium set to host CONCACAF Nations Finals". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 15, 2023). "Congratulations to Jonathan David on being named the Player of the Match!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ a b "2022/23 CNLF Semifinals Referee Appointments". CONCACAF. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  8. ^ "US 3-0 win over Mexico cut short by homophobic chants on night of 4 red cards". Associated Press. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Hernandez, Cesar (June 15, 2023). "Referee ends USMNT rout over Mexico early amid anti-gay chants". ESPN. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "Homophobic chants force US-Mexico soccer match to end early in Las Vegas". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 16, 2023). "Congratulations to Christian Pulisic, who is named the Player of the Match!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 18, 2023). "¡Felicidades a Jesús Gallardo por ser elegido como el Jugador del Partido en el duelo entre Panamá y @miseleccionmx!" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ a b "2022/23 CNLF 3rd Place Match and Final Referee Appointments". CONCACAF. June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  14. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 18, 2023). "The honor of Player of the Match goes to Giovanni Reyna!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "Turner, Reyna and David lead way in CNL Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "Pulisic, Turner and Lake take home CNL honors". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.