USMNT Triumphs 3-0 vs. Mexico in Concacaf Semifinal

 USMNT Triumphs 3-0 vs. Mexico in Concacaf Semifinal

Weston McKennie #8 of the United States during a game between Mexico and USMNT at Allegiant Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada(Image-Getty)

USMNT Dominates Mexico 3-0 in Thrilling Concacaf Nations League Semifinal at Allegiant Stadium

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas witnessed a decisive chapter in the USA-Mexico rivalry during the sold-out Concacaf Nations League semifinal on June 15. The USMNT secured a commanding 3-0 victory, aiming for their second consecutive tournament final, marked by notable moments and milestones.

Key Highlights:

1. Pulisic’s Brace:

Christian Pulisic showcased brilliance, scoring twice and earning the Man of the Match title. His opportunistic first goal and a sliding finish in the second half brought his international goal tally to 25, placing him sixth on the USMNT’s all-time scorers list.

2. Pepi’s Exclamation Point:

Ricardo Pepi, a rising star in 2023, made a late impact with the third goal. Sergiño Dest initiated the move, and Pepi’s well-timed finish marked his fourth goal in three matches.

3. Balogun’s Debut:

 Folarin Balogun, granted association change by FIFA, made his highly anticipated debut, becoming the second player to debut against Mexico in official competition during the modern era.

4. Intense Affair:

The match featured 13 cards, with nine yellow cards and two ejections per side, reflecting the passion of this Concacaf powerhouse matchup.

5. Streak Continues:

The 3-0 win extended the USMNT's unbeaten streak against Mexico to six matches, matching the longest run since 2011-2015.

Match Details:

- Date: June 15, 2023

- Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

- Attendance: 65,000 (sellout)

- Kickoff: 10:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. local)

- Weather: 90 degrees; partly cloudy

Scoring Summary:

- USA 3 (Christian Pulisic 37’, 46’, Ricardo Pepi 78’)

- MEX 0

Lineups:

- USA: Matt Turner; Sergiño Dest, Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson; Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie; Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic

- MEX: Guillermo Ochoa; Israel Reyes, César Montes, Victor Guzmán; Jorge Sánchez, Uriel Antuna, Luis Chávez, Edson Álvarez, Jesús Gallardo; Orbelín Pineda, Henry Martin

Stats Summary:

- Shots: USA 11 / MEX 5

- Shots on Goal: USA 5 / MEX 1

- Saves: USA 1 / MEX 2

- Corner Kicks: USA 5 / MEX 3

- Fouls: USA 17 / MEX 17

- Offside: USA 0 / MEX 4

Misconduct Summary:

- Notable cautions and ejections for both teams.

Officials:

- Referee: Ivan Barton (SLV)

- VAR: Tatiana Guzman (NCA)

- Bud Light Man of the Match: Christian Pulisic