Sunday, the second-ever winner of the Concacaf Nations League will be determined as the United States and Canada meet in Las Vegas. With a victory, the United States can ensure that they're the only team to ever win the competition but interim coach B.J. Callaghan will have a tough job to keep the team's performances going after Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest were sent off during their 3-0 victory against Mexico in the semifinals.
Starting lineups
United States lineup: Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Walker Zimmerman, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun
Canada lineup: Milan Borjan, Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Scott Kennedy, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin
How USMNT plan to cover for red card absences
The USMNT weren't able to defeat Canada during World Cup qualifying but were still able to beat their neighbors to the north en route to winning the Gold Cup in 2021. With another trophy on the line, Callaghan's left with decisions to make but he does have considerable depth in his 23-man roster to try and limit a formidable attack that includes Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, and Alphonso Davies.
The Canucks will allow the USMNT space to operate and Callaghan is looking to utilize a fluid midfield to take advantage of that. Gio Reyna starts again while Brenden Aaronson and Musah will partner him. This brings Musah into a defacto defensive midfielder role but he'll be flanked by two eights who also want to operate as 10s in space. If done right, it can break Canada's defense open but not having a true defensive midfielder will require the USMNT to be deliberate in possession.
Not having a true defensive midfielder will give Canada chances to attack but Aaronson, Musah, and Gio Reyna will be a hard trio to contain in the first final between these two teams. Defensively is where things get quite a bit harder.
Joe Scally is the natural fill-in for Dest but Dest has been in top form for the national team even without getting much playing time at Barcelona or AC Milan. His assist to Ricardo Pepi to put the victory over Mexico out of sight was quite an impressive way to thread a ball, putting the perfect amount of weight on it to run onto but Dest also didn't shirk his defensive responsibilities in the match either.
Scally has been a player who has struggled to break into the regular rotation for the national team and playing in this final could be what helps put him over the edge. Scally has talent both on the ball and defensively to keep up with attackers, but Canada have talented wingers in Davies and Buchanan. If Scally can avoid getting caught out, the USMNT can secure another trophy but all eyes will be on his performance.
Canada allowed plenty of chances when they faced Panama and with a similar performance in the match, it will give the United States quite a lot of room to operate as they look to close out Callaghan's spell in charge of the team on the right foot as Gregg Berhalter returns to managing the team after the Gold Cup.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday, June 18 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Allegiant Stadium -- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Canada +265; Draw +215; United States +113 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
