Kobe & Shaq’s Lakers. Michael & Pippen’s Bulls, twice. Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT. Three-peating isn’t for everyone.
In all seriousness, this was a major accomplishment for the USMNT. Even if you view the Nations League as a soulless money grab, winning a tournament of any kind, three times in a row, is not an easy feat. After seeing off Mexico by *that scoreline* of Dos a Cero the yanks extended their unbeaten streak against El Tri to seven, dating back to 2019. Let’s take a look at who might’ve improved, or worsened, their stance with the national team, and potentially at the club level.
USMNT stock up, stock down
Giovanni Reyna: Stock Up
Reyna, who was named player of the tournament, came to this camp having just 39 club minutes since his transfer, but that didn’t hold him back. He tallied two assists against Jamaica, and a goal against Mexico to earn him the aforementioned Player of the Tournament honors. He is continually proving to be irreplaceable for the national team, but something doesn’t seem to click for Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest. Maybe his displays at this tournament will show Nuno the light.
Luca De La Torre: Stock Down
This take is purely from a national team perspective. At Celta Vigo, he’s doing just fine. When it comes to the national team, it would seem that he has moved far down the pecking order in a pretty stacked midfield. Reyna, McKennie, Adams is seemingly the starting midfield when all are healthy. After that, it would seem Musah, Tillman, and Johnny have emerged as the next trio. It’s beginning to become a question if LDLT would even get a call up to a fully healthy squad.
Tyler Adams: Stock Up
There’s no point in burying the lede here. So let’s take another look at the absolute screamer goal Tyler Adams scored in his first start for club or country in 380 days:
TYLER ADAMS FROM THE PARKING LOT ARE YOU FOR REAL??? 💥🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZrK7PoxCST
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 25, 2024
One of, if not the best goals scored by an American in this rivalry. Tyler had made a cameo off the bench in Bournemouth’s unreal comeback win over Luton, so for him to score a goal of this magnitude, in a final, will surely bring him massive confidence to help finish off a solid season for the cherries.
Folarin Balogun: Stock Down
This one feels really harsh. But it’s no secret what Haji Wright did in the semifinal, and what he’s doing for Coventry. It’s no secret that Josh Sargent is on his way to his best goal scoring season of his club career. Ricardo Pepi is also having a really solid first season in the Eredivisie for unbeaten PSV. Balogun started the semifinal vs Jamaica, and was subbed off for Haji Wright in the 63rd minute. Haji’s brace earned him a start in the final, and Balogun, who committed to play his international soccer for the USA prior to last years Nations League, has certainly fallen out of form at the club level, and has a few other American strikers nipping at his heels.
Another trophy in the case for this exciting generation of US internationals. Now they look ahead to the Copa America, but before that, they have tune up friendlies against Colombia and Brazil in early June.
Mar 21, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) moves the ball past Jamaica defender Di’Shon Bernard (6) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
