2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

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 the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, United States, and was contested by the four group winners of League A.[1]

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)United States Christian Pulisic
(2 goals)
2021
2024

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

Format

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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.

Qualified teams

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The four group winners of League A qualified for the CONCACAF 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

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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

Venue

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

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

Squads

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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

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
June 15 (15-06)Paradise, NV
 
 
  Panama0
 
June 18 (18-06)Paradise, NV
 
  Canada2
 
  Canada0
 
June 15 (15-06)Paradise, NV
 
  United States2
 
  United States3
 
 
  Mexico0
 
Third place play-off
 
 
June 18 (18-06)Paradise, NV
 
 
  Panama0
 
 
  Mexico1

All times are local, PDT (UTC−7).

Semi-finals

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Panama vs Canada

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Panama  0–2  Canada
Report
  • David   25'
  • Davies   70'


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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

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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


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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

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Panama  0–1  Mexico
Report


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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

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Canada  0–2  United States
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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'
Manager:
B. J. Callaghan (interim)

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

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Goalscorers

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

2 goals

1 goal

Awards

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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 league and tournament 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

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  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.
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