Richards, Balogun goals deliver another CNL crown to USA

Goals from Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun delivered a second straight CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) crown to the United States, who defeated Canada 2-0 in the 2022-23 CNL Final Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

CONCACAF said Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun etched their names into the US Soccer record books by becoming the first and second players to score their first career US goals in a final.

“Aiding the cause was MF Gio Reyna, who supplied the assist on both goals,” CONCACAF said.

In two CNL Finals, it said Reyna has been involved in four of the five US goals, with one goal and three assists total.

“The two teams had an energetic start and, minutes after a screaming volley from Walker Zimmerman went wide, the US broke the deadlock when Zimmerman’s center back partner, Richards, took a corner kick swung in by Reyna and squeezed a header past Canada GK Milan Borjan in the 12’ for a 1-0 lead,” CONCACAF said.

It said Canada looked to respond with their speed down the flanks, “but the US defense was alert and allowed their attack to strike another big blow later in the 34’, as Reyna slipped in a pass to Balogun, who hammered home a right-footed shot to double the margin to 2-0,” it added.

CONCACAF said Canada was unfazed and lurched forward in attack themselves, forcing US GK Matt Turner into a couple diving saves, including on a “stinging effort” from Richie Laryea in the 38’.

There was also another chance for the US to add to their lead toward the end of the half, with a Timothy Weah right-footed shot requiring a fingertip save from Borjan, CONCACAF said.

It said the US “kept their foot on the gas into the second stanza and came achingly close to a third goal in rapid succession when a Richards header glanced off the crossbar, followed by a Balogun shot from point-blank range blocked by Canada DF Scott Kennedy.”

CONCACAF said Canada was just as involved at the other end through the “dynamic play” of left winger Alphonso Davies, “who made life uncomfortable for Turner and the US defense.”

As time ticked down into the final 10 minutes, CONCACAF said Canada made one final charge to try to pull a goal back, “but the US defense never wavered, seeing things out until the final whistle to secure their second CNL title.”