Nations League 2024 – Inside World Football

US complete CNL three-peat with 2-0 win over Mexico and their puto-chanting fans

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:55:46 +0000

March 24 – The US completed their third consecutive Nations League win in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a 2-0 win over Mexico.

A feisty game from start to finish saw the US dominate Mexico who belatedly pressed at the end, having a penalty decision in their favour overturned by VAR.

In the end the biggest threat to their title was the Mexican fans and their puto chant. Referee Drew Fisher from Canada twice suspended the game,

Jamaica beat Panama to secure third place at CNL finals

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:39:55 +0000

March 24 – Jamaica are the third best team in Concacaf. With a 1-0 win over Panama in the Nations League third place play-off, the Reggae Boyz are climbing the regional hierarchy.

Canada had been the third best while Panama were staking their claim for that spot, but a weakened Jamaican team without four key English Premier League players had more than enough to dispatch them with a Dexter Lembikiska goal at the end of the first half.

Mexico beat Panama to set up a Concacaf classic against the US on Sunday night

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 04:08:41 +0000

March 21 – Mexico cruised past Panama 3-0 in the second semi-final of the Concacaf Nations League at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They will now meet the US in the final in what promises to be a battle of the giants on Sunday night.

Two first half goals within four minutes at the end of the first half effectively sealed their win. They added a third in the second half as Panama chased the game.

US beat Jamaica in extra time to keep CNL three-peat hopes alive

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 02:16:43 +0000

March 21 – It took a deflected header off a Jamaican defender in the last play of regulation time to level the scores and keep the US in the hunt for their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title.

A Miles Robinson flick on from a Christian Pulisic corner came off the head of Corey Burke and past Andre Blake to level the sores at 1-1 in the 6th minute of added time.

In extra time two goals by Haji Wright,

Copa America play-in: Canada battle for status against a rebuilding Trinidad and Tobago

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 20:15:58 +0000

March 22 – Having thrown away their quarter final lead against Jamaica and then losing on penalties, Canada missed out on the CNL final four and now have a single match play-in against Trinidad and Tobago for qualification to the Copa America 2024.

The winner will qualify for group A of the Copa America alongside Chile, Peru and reigning Fifa World Cup champions Argentina.

Canada have been going through turmoil behind the scenes with players complaining they aren’t paid enough and the stepping down of former coach John Herdman who took over in 2018,

Copa America play-in: Costa Rica battle to stay top tier, Honduras want a seat at that table

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 04:20:33 +0000

March 21 – On Saturday (March 23) Costa Rica will be battling to retain their elite Concacaf status as they compete for one of the two remaining slots at the Copa America 2024 against Honduras at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

There are six Concacaf qualifiers Copa America 2024 to be played this summer in the US.

Over the past 10 years you would have expected Costa Rica to be an automatic qualifier,

USA go into CNL final four with youngest squad, Mexico are the oldest

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 01:15:00 +0000

March 21 – The USA go into the Nations League 2024 final four semi-finals at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas, tonight with the youngest squad of the four teams competing.

In contrast Mexico go in to the finals tournament with the oldest squad – almost a full three years older than the US squad, on average, per player.

Mexico have a squad average age of 27 years and two days,

All-time Nations League records: US, JAM, MEX, PAN

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:57:02 +0000

This is only the third edition of the Concacaf Nations League and the final four matches mark the end of that season. Seven nations will have competed in the final four by the end of the current round of matches. Here are the all-time records of the nations in the 2023-24 competition. Stats cover all games played in the CNL.

USA push for a Nations League three-peat with Jamaica their next obstacle

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:29:14 +0000

March 21 – The USA continue their push for a third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title tonight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

They face Jamaica in the first semi-final, the winners will face either Mexico or Panama in the final on Sunday March 24, also in the AT&T Stadium.

In qualifying for the final four, the US almost slipped up in the quarter finals against Trinidad and Tobago (a place where they have fallen over before in failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup).

Panama ready to reverse run of big game losses against Mexico

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:15:04 +0000

March 21 – The Mexico vs Panama semi-final at the AT&T Stadium tonight in Arlington, Texas, is third time in closing rounds of Concacaf competitions that these two have met in the past 10 months.

Last June Mexico beat Panama to take third place in the 2022/23 edition of the Nations League in Las Vegas, before the two sides met again at the SoFi Stadium in LA in July in the Gold Cup final.

CNL leading goalscorers: USA, JAM, MEX, PAN

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:03:46 +0000

USA midfielder Weston McKennie heads the list of all-time CNL scorers, followed by his teammate Christian Pulisic who taller the same number of goals as Jamaica’s leading scorer Shamar Nicholson.

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All time CNL appearances: USA, JAM, MEX, PAN

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:02:15 +0000

Weston McKennie not only tops the list of goalscorer for the US, but he has also made the most appearances in the Nations League. His 12 appearances for his country do not match the 17 game commitment Damion Lowe (pictured) has shown for Jamaica.

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All time, all nations, CNL leading goalscorers

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:01:24 +0000

Sint Martin’s Gerwin Lake tops the list of all-time CNL goalscorers with 17. Canada’s Jonathon David, with 10 goals, is the only player from a League A nation to make the top 10.

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Lozano leaves Jiménez at Fulham as Mexico seek first Nations League title

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:21:08 +0000

March 20 – Mexico coach Jaime Lozano (pictured) has left Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez off his Concacaf Nations League roster as the country bids to win the event for the first time in its third edition.

Jiménez is recovering from injury and has only just returned for Fulham. The feeling was that his rehabilitation would be better suited to staying with his club as Mexico build towards to the Copa America 2024 to be played in the US this summer.

Berhalter calls up Wright and Aaronson after injuries force de la Torre and Sargent out

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:30:59 +0000

March 19 – The USA have been forced to make two last minute additions to their squad for the Nations League final four that kicks off this Thursday at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Coach Gregg Berhalter has called up two more European based players in Coventry City’s Haji Wright and Union Berlin’s Brenden Aaronson.

They replace Celta Vigo’s Luca de la Torre and Norwich’s Josh Sargent who both picked up injuries last weekend.

Jamaica’s Hallgrimsson drops Leon Bailey from Nations League squad

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:20:05 +0000

March 19 – Jamaica have dropped in-form Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey from their Nations League Finals squad.

It is a brave move by Jamaica’s Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson whose squad face the USA in the semi-final of the 2023/24 edition on Thursday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Bailey, who has scored eight goals in 16 starts in a standout season for Aston Villa, was dropped along with Trevante Stewart for breaking curfew in the last Jamaica camp.

Concacaf signs Chili’s as official restaurant for Nations League Finals

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 23:59:08 +0000

March 19 – Concacaf has announced Chili’s Grill & Bar as the official restaurant of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Finals that kick off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, on Thursday.

Chili’s is Dallas-based business that opened its first restaurant there and has since grown to more than 1,600 restaurants worldwide across 29 countries and two territories.

Chili’s will receive brand visibility through in-venue signage and match broadcast promotions.

Nations League finalists draw battle lines as Mexico, Panama and Jamaica promise to burst US bubble in Texas

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:02:42 +0000

March 6 – With the Concacaf Nations League Finals (CNLF) two weeks away, the confederation has stepped up preparation for the final four event at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Starting March 21 the Dallas Metropolitan area will host the most important Concacaf men’s competition of the year with, sandwiched between the semi-finals and final, the final knock-out play-ins in Frisco, Texas, for the final two Concacaf slots at the Copa America.

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:06:51 +0000

The AT&T Stadium has long been a preferred venue for Concacaf matches and will host the semo-finals, third place play-off and Final of the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League.

Previously hosted Gold Cup quarterfinals in 2023, hosted also hosted matches in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021.

Capacity of 80,000 to 105,000.

The AT&T Stadium will host nine matches during the 2026 World Cup – more than any of the other 15 host venues – including a semi-final on July 14.

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Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:05:36 +0000

The Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, will host the two play-in matches for the Copa America 2024 to be hosted in the US.

The stadium has previously hosted rounds of the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Builr as a soccer-specific stadium, it is the home of MLS side FC Dallas.

It cost approximately $80 million to build and opened on August 6, 2005 with an MLS fixture between FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls

In 2018 construction was completed on an extensive renovation of the south end of the stadium.

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Schedule CNL Final Four and Copa America 2024 Play-in

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:05:32 +0000

USA

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:04:12 +0000

The USA go into the Nations League finals as favourites to retain their title won last June. If they win, it will be their third title and they will maintain their record of having been the only team to have won the Concacaf Nations League that was first played in 2019/20.

What to expect

In the first Nations League final at the Mile High Stadium in 2020 they beat Mexico with a Christian Pulisic goal in extra time.

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Panama

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:03:17 +0000

Panama made a big leap forward at the last Gold Cup in 2023, beating the USA in the semi-final on penalties before losing to Mexico 1-0 in the final.

What to expect

In the Nations League the month before they had struggled, losing to a Canadian team in the semi-final at the peak of their powers that were very soon to wane. In contrast Panama just got better and better throughout the summer of 2023.

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Mexico

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:02:47 +0000

Mexico open their Concacaf Nations League Final Four campaign against Panama in the semi-finals at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, in what is a rematch of the 2023 Gold Cup final, which Mexico won 1-0.

What to expect

To qualify for the Nations League final four, Mexico had to overcome a 2-0 deficit from their first away leg in Honduras. Having levelled the aggregate at 2-2 in Mexico City they went on to win 4-2 on penalties.

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Jamaica

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:01:56 +0000

Jamaica qualified for their first Nations League final four tournament on away goals scored with a second half burst of three goals in a 3-2 away win Canada to tie the overall aggregate at 4-4.

What to expect

It was a good turnaround for the Jamaicans who looked to be exiting the tournament with 12 minutes to go. Three of Jamaica’s goal were scored by Shamar Nicholson.

Going into their semi-final match-up against the USA at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington,

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Concacaf puts Copa America 2024 play-in tix on-sale, some availability still for CNL final 4

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:54:22 +0000

January 24 – On Friday (January 26) Concacaf said it will put on sale tickets for the double header play-in match on March 23 that will qualify the final two teams for the Conmebol Copa America 2024 that will be played in the US this summer.

Canada will play Trinidad and Tobago while Costa Rica face Honduras at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

The play-in matches will be sandwiched between the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals and finals that will also be played in the Dallas Metropolitan Area at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Costa Rica

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:57:31 +0000

Costa Rica will be battling to retain their elite Concacaf status as they compete for one of the two remaining slots at the Copa America 2024 against Honduras at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

What to expect

There are six Concacaf qualifiers Copa America 2024 to be played this summer in the US.

Over the past 10 years you would have expected Costa Rica to be an automatic qualifier,

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Honduras

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 09:30:17 +0000

Honduras are a team on the rise and would have been in the Nations League final four if they had held on to their lead in the closing minutes of the quarter final against Mexico, eventually losing on penalties.

What to expect

The Hondurans are desperate to return to the top tier of Concacaf competitions and have their sights set on qualifying for the expanded 2026 World Cup. Participation in the Copa America 2024 would be a huge step in terms of team preparation for that goal.

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Canada

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 17:35:21 +0000

Having thrown away their quarter final lead against Jamaica and then losing on penalties, Canada missed out on the CNL final four and now have a single match play-in against Trinidad and Tobago for qualification to the Copa America 2024, which will be played in the US with six Concacaf guests.

What to expect

Canada have been going through turmoil behind the scenes with players complaining they aren’t paid enough and the stepping down of former coach John Herdman who took over in 2018,

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Trinidad and Tobago

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:52:39 +0000

Trinidad and Tobago were pushed into the Copa America 2024 play-in round as one of the four losing quarter finalists in the Concacaf Nations League having been beaten 4-3 on aggregate by the US.

What to expect

After winning the first leg 2-1 in Trinidad, they were beaten 3-0 in the US, but it took the Americans until deep into the second half before they secured progression to the semi.

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