U.S. Tops Mexico in Concacaf Chaos

06/16/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Amid Red Cards & Trash, Pulisic (2 Goals) Leads USMNT Over El Tri in Concacaf Semifinal (3-0)

Las Vegas has been the site of sports’ latest stories — from the Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup to the Athletics move from Oakland — and that continued on Thursday with a desert showdown between bitter rivals in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal. The U.S. Men’s National Team got two goals to bookend halftime from Christian Pulisic (37’ & 46’). Things got chippy late after some ugly tackling and retaliations. Four red cards were issued in about 15 minutes — two each — and both teams finished the game with nine men. And after trash had been thrown on the pitch and Mexico fans continued chants containing a gay slur (a common chant that’s been a staple of El Tri fans for years), the referee called the match.

Red Cards (4)

USMNT: W. McKennie (71’) / Sergino Dest (85’)

Mexico: C. Montes (69’) / G. Arteaga (85’)

Wild stuff in Vegas, but a 3-0 win for the Stars and stripes sends them to the Concacaf Nations League finale on Sunday. Both Mckennie and Dest will miss the finals due to their red cards. The USMNT has now beaten Mexico in six straight matches.

Watch: USMNT Shuts Out Mexico in Testy Concacaf Semifinals (3-0)

Concacaf Nations League Finals

USMNT vs. Canada (Sun. 8:30 pm ET)

B/R: Gregg Berhalter Reportedly to Return as USMNT Manager

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images