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2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

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2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals
Tournament details
Host countryUnited States
DatesJune 3–6
Teams4
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions United States (1st title)
Runners-up Mexico
Third place Honduras
Fourth place Costa Rica
Tournament statistics
Matches played4
Goals scored10 (2.5 per match)
Attendance144,198 (36,050 per match)
Top scorer(s)Ten players
(1 goal each)
2023

The 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals was the final tournament of the 2019–20 edition of the CONCACAF Nations League, the inaugural season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the member associations of CONCACAF. The event was held from June 3 to 6, 2021 at the Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, United States,[1] and was contested by the four group winners of Nations League A. The event consisted of two semi-finals, a third place play-off, and final to determine the inaugural champions of the CONCACAF Nations League.

The United States defeated Mexico 3–2 after extra time in the final to become the first champions of the CONCACAF Nations League.[2]

Format

[edit]

The Nations League Finals took place in June 2021 and was contested by the four group winners of League A.

The Nations League Finals was played in single-leg knockout matches, consisting of two semi-finals, a third place play-off, and a final. The semi-final pairings were determined by the group stage rankings (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3),[3] and the administrative home teams for the third place play-off and final were announced on March 9, 2020. All matches in the tournament utilized the goal-line technology and video assistant referee (VAR) systems.[4]

In the Nations League Finals, if the scores were level at the end of normal time:[5]

  • In the final, 30 minutes of extra time would be played. If the score was still level after extra time, the winners would be determined by a penalty shoot-out.
  • In the semi-finals and third place play-off, extra time was not played, and the winners were determined by a penalty shoot-out.

Qualified teams

[edit]

The four group winners of League A qualified for the Nations League Finals.

Group Winners Date of
qualification
CONCACAF Rankings
June 2021[6]
FIFA Rankings
May 2021
A  United States (host) November 19, 2019 2 20
B  Mexico November 15, 2019 1 11
C  Honduras October 13, 2019 4 67
D  Costa Rica November 17, 2019 3 50

Schedule

[edit]

The tournament was originally to be held in Texas from June 4 to 7, 2020.[3] However, the tournament was postponed on 3 April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[7] On July 27, 2020, CONCACAF announced that the Finals would be held in March 2021,[8] though on September 22, 2020 CONCACAF announced that the tournament was again rescheduled until June 2021.[9]

On February 24, 2021, CONCACAF confirmed the dates for the rescheduled CONCACAF Nations League Finals: June 3 to 6, 2021, with the venue and times to be released at a later date.[10]

On May 9, 2021, CONCACAF confirmed the fixture dates and times.[11]

Seeding

[edit]

The four teams were ranked based on their results in the group stage to determine the semi-final matchups.

Seed Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 B  Mexico 4 4 0 0 13 3 +10 12
2 C  Honduras 4 3 1 0 8 1 +7 10
3 A  United States (H) 4 3 0 1 15 3 +12 9
4 D  Costa Rica 4 1 3 0 4 3 +1 6
Source: CONCACAF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) away goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) drawing of lots (Regulations Article 12.9).[5]
(H) Hosts

Venues

[edit]

Initially, the competition was scheduled to be held in Texas, with the BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium in Houston hosting the semi-final matches, and the AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosting the third place play-off and final.[3] However, the planned venues were put into doubt following the tournament's suspension.[7]

CONCACAF announced the city of Denver, Colorado as the new hosts of the event on April 15, 2021, with Empower Field at Mile High hosting the two semi-finals, third place play-off, and final.[1]

Denver, CO
Empower Field at Mile High
Capacity: 76,125

Squads

[edit]

Each national team had to submit an initial squad of forty players, five of whom had to be goalkeepers, at least 24 days before the opening match of the tournament.[11] The final squads of 23 players (including three goalkeepers) had to be submitted by May 27, 2021, seven days before the opening match of the tournament. If a player became injured or ill severely enough to prevent his participation in the tournament no less than 24 hours before his team's first match, he was allowed to be replaced by another player.[12]

Match officials

[edit]

On May 24, 2021, CONCACAF announced the fourteen officials for the tournament.[13]

Bracket

[edit]

In the semi-finals and third place game, extra time was not played if tied after regulation, and the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out. In the final, extra time was played if tied after regulation, and if still tied after extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out (Regulations Article 12.11).[5]

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
June 3 – Denver, CO
 
 
 Honduras0
 
June 6 – Denver, CO
 
 United States1
 
 United States (a.e.t.)3
 
June 3 – Denver, CO
 
 Mexico2
 
 Mexico (p)0 (5)
 
 
 Costa Rica0 (4)
 
Third place play-off
 
 
June 6 – Denver, CO
 
 
 Honduras (p)2 (5)
 
 
 Costa Rica2 (4)

All times are local, MDT (UTC−6).[11]

Semi-finals

[edit]

Honduras vs United States

[edit]
Honduras 0–1 United States
Report
  • Pefok 89'
Attendance: 34,451[16]
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)


Honduras
United States
GK 22 Luis López
RB 23 Diego Rodríguez Yellow card 57' downward-facing red arrow 65'
CB 3 Maynor Figueroa (c)
CB 4 Marcelo Pereira downward-facing red arrow 74'
LB 2 Kevin Álvarez
RM 17 Jonathan Toro downward-facing red arrow 63'
CM 20 Deybi Flores
CM 10 Alexander López downward-facing red arrow 64'
LM 11 Rigoberto Rivas downward-facing red arrow 74'
CF 9 Anthony Lozano
CF 7 Alberth Elis Yellow card 90+6'
Substitutions:
MF 8 Edwin Rodríguez upward-facing green arrow 63'
MF 6 Bryan Acosta Yellow card 75' upward-facing green arrow 64'
DF 5 Éver Alvarado upward-facing green arrow 65'
MF 14 Boniek García upward-facing green arrow 74'
MF 21 Jhow Benavídez upward-facing green arrow 74'
Manager:
Uruguay Fabián Coito
GK 1 Zack Steffen (c)
RB 2 Sergiño Dest
CB 6 John Brooks
CB 15 Mark McKenzie Yellow card 84'
LB 5 Antonee Robinson downward-facing red arrow 78'
CM 8 Weston McKennie
CM 14 Jackson Yueill downward-facing red arrow 83'
RW 7 Giovanni Reyna downward-facing red arrow 78'
AM 17 Sebastian Lletget
LW 10 Christian Pulisic downward-facing red arrow 90+4'
CF 9 Josh Sargent downward-facing red arrow 78'
Substitutions:
FW 11 Brenden Aaronson upward-facing green arrow 78'
DF 20 Reggie Cannon upward-facing green arrow 78'
FW 16 Jordan Pefok upward-facing green arrow 78'
MF 23 Kellyn Acosta upward-facing green arrow 83'
DF 3 Matt Miazga upward-facing green arrow 90+4'
Other disciplinary actions:
MF 4 Tyler Adams Yellow card 86'
Manager:
Gregg Berhalter

Man of the Match:
Jordan Pefok (United States)[17]

Assistant referees:[18]
Zachari Zeegelaar (Suriname)
Jassett Kerr-Wilson (Jamaica)
Fourth official:
Reon Radix (Grenada)
Video assistant referee:
Erick Miranda (Mexico)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)

Mexico vs Costa Rica

[edit]


Mexico
Costa Rica
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa
CB 2 Néstor Araujo
CB 4 Edson Álvarez Yellow card 84'
CB 15 Héctor Moreno Yellow card 90+3'
RM 20 Uriel Antuna Yellow card 90'
CM 16 Héctor Herrera downward-facing red arrow 78'
CM 18 Andrés Guardado (c) downward-facing red arrow 58'
LM 19 Gerardo Arteaga downward-facing red arrow 68'
RW 14 Diego Lainez downward-facing red arrow 58'
CF 9 Henry Martín downward-facing red arrow 58'
LW 22 Hirving Lozano
Substitutions:
DF 21 Luis Rodríguez upward-facing green arrow 58'
DF 7 Luis Romo upward-facing green arrow 58'
FW 11 Alan Pulido upward-facing green arrow 58'
DF 23 Jesús Gallardo upward-facing green arrow 68'
MF 10 Orbelín Pineda upward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino
GK 23 Leonel Moreira
RB 4 Keysher Fuller
CB 6 Óscar Duarte
CB 15 Francisco Calvo Yellow card 21'
LB 8 Bryan Oviedo
CM 10 Bryan Ruiz (c) downward-facing red arrow 62'
CM 17 Yeltsin Tejeda
CM 5 Celso Borges downward-facing red arrow 82'
RW 21 Alonso Martínez Yellow card 54' downward-facing red arrow 62'
CF 12 Joel Campbell downward-facing red arrow 85'
LW 11 Randall Leal downward-facing red arrow 85'
Substitutions:
FW 2 Ariel Lassiter upward-facing green arrow 62'
MF 13 Allan Cruz Yellow card 90' upward-facing green arrow 62'
MF 14 Bernald Alfaro upward-facing green arrow 82'
FW 7 Johan Venegas upward-facing green arrow 85'
FW 9 Jurguens Montenegro upward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
Costa Rica Rónald González Brenes

Man of the Match:
Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)[20]

Assistant referees:[18]
Juan Tipaz (Guatemala)
Caleb Wales (Trinidad and Tobago)
Fourth official:
Tristley Bassue (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
Video assistant referee:
Drew Fischer (Canada)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Chris Penso (United States)

Third place play-off

[edit]


Honduras
Costa Rica
GK 22 Luis López
RB 2 Kevin Álvarez Yellow card 70'
CB 4 Marcelo Pereira
CB 3 Maynor Figueroa (c)
LB 23 Diego Rodríguez downward-facing red arrow 78'
RM 11 Rigoberto Rivas downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 20 Deybi Flores
CM 6 Bryan Acosta
LM 8 Edwin Rodríguez downward-facing red arrow 78'
CF 7 Alberth Elis
CF 9 Anthony Lozano downward-facing red arrow 63'
Substitutions:
MF 10 Alexander López upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 12 Jorge Benguché upward-facing green arrow 63'
DF 5 Éver Alvarado upward-facing green arrow 78'
FW 17 Jonathan Toro upward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Uruguay Fabián Coito
GK 23 Leonel Moreira
RB 4 Keysher Fuller
CB 6 Óscar Duarte
CB 15 Francisco Calvo
LB 8 Bryan Oviedo downward-facing red arrow 49'
DM 17 Yeltsin Tejeda
CM 10 Bryan Ruiz (c) downward-facing red arrow 58'
CM 5 Celso Borges downward-facing red arrow 58'
RW 21 Alonso Martínez Yellow card 76'
CF 12 Joel Campbell downward-facing red arrow 72'
LW 11 Randall Leal downward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutions:
DF 22 Joseph Mora upward-facing green arrow 49'
FW 7 Johan Venegas upward-facing green arrow 58'
MF 13 Allan Cruz upward-facing green arrow 58'
FW 2 Ariel Lassiter upward-facing green arrow 58'
MF 20 Gerson Torres upward-facing green arrow 72'
Manager:
Costa Rica Rónald González Brenes

Man of the Match:
Luis López (Honduras)[24]

Assistant referees:[25]
Iroots Appleton (Antigua and Barbuda)
Zachari Zeegelaar (Suriname)
Fourth official:
Tristley Bassue (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
Video assistant referee:
Chris Penso (United States)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Erick Miranda (Mexico)

Final

[edit]
United States 3–2 (a.e.t.) Mexico
Report


United States
Mexico
GK 1 Zack Steffen downward-facing red arrow 69'
CB 15 Mark McKenzie Yellow card 86'
CB 6 John Brooks Yellow card 10'
CB 13 Tim Ream downward-facing red arrow 83'
RM 22 DeAndre Yedlin Yellow card 90+4' downward-facing red arrow 105+1'
CM 8 Weston McKennie
CM 23 Kellyn Acosta Yellow card 49'
LM 2 Sergiño Dest downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 7 Giovanni Reyna downward-facing red arrow 83'
CF 9 Josh Sargent downward-facing red arrow 68'
LW 10 Christian Pulisic (c) Yellow card 115'
Substitutions:
FW 21 Timothy Weah upward-facing green arrow 60'
FW 16 Jordan Pefok upward-facing green arrow 68'
GK 12 Ethan Horvath upward-facing green arrow 69'
MF 17 Sebastian Lletget upward-facing green arrow 83'
MF 4 Tyler Adams upward-facing green arrow 83'
DF 20 Reggie Cannon upward-facing green arrow 105+1'
Manager:
Gregg Berhalter
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa (c)
CB 2 Néstor Araujo
CB 4 Edson Álvarez downward-facing red arrow 117'
CB 15 Héctor Moreno downward-facing red arrow 100'
RM 21 Luis Rodríguez
CM 16 Héctor Herrera Yellow card 90+2' downward-facing red arrow 100'
CM 8 Carlos Rodríguez downward-facing red arrow 66'
LM 23 Jesús Gallardo
RW 17 Jesús Corona downward-facing red arrow 66'
CF 20 Uriel Antuna downward-facing red arrow 78'
LW 22 Hirving Lozano Yellow card 111'
Substitutions:
DF 7 Luis Romo upward-facing green arrow 66'
FW 9 Henry Martín upward-facing green arrow 66'
MF 14 Diego Lainez upward-facing green arrow 78'
DF 3 Carlos Salcedo upward-facing green arrow 100'
MF 18 Andrés Guardado Yellow card 120+10' upward-facing green arrow 100'
MF 10 Orbelín Pineda upward-facing green arrow 117'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino Red card 110'

Man of the Match:
Ethan Horvath (United States)[27]

Assistant referees:[25]
Caleb Wales (Trinidad and Tobago)
Jassett Kerr-Wilson (Jamaica)
Fourth official:
Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
Video assistant referee:
Drew Fischer (Canada)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)

Statistics

[edit]

Goalscorers

[edit]

There were 10 goals scored in 4 matches, for an average of 2.5 goals per match.

1 goal

Awards

[edit]

CONCACAF announced the following squad as the best eleven of the finals after the conclusion of the tournament.[28]

Weston McKennie was named MVP of the tournament, having scored a total of four goals in league and tournament play.[29]

Best XI
Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Honduras Luis López United States John Brooks
Costa Rica Francisco Calvo
Mexico Néstor Araujo
United States Weston McKennie
Mexico Héctor Herrera
United States Giovanni Reyna
Honduras Edwin Rodríguez
Mexico Diego Lainez
United States Christian Pulisic
Honduras Alberth Elis

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Though listed with a 17:30 kick-off time,[14] the match began at 17:36.[15]
  2. ^ Though listed with a 20:00 kick-off time,[19] the match began at 20:36.[15]
  3. ^ Though listed with a 16:30 kick-off time,[21] the match began at 16:36.[22]
  4. ^ Though listed with a 19:00 kick-off time,[26] the match actually began at 19:36.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Denver to host first-ever Concacaf Nations League Finals in June 2021". CONCACAF. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. edge Mexico in thrilling style to win first CNLF". CONCACAF. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Texas to Host First-Ever Concacaf Nations League Finals in June 2020". CONCACAF. March 9, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "CONCACAF confirms plans to rollout VAR in 2021 club and men's national team competitions". CONCACAF. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Regulations CONCACAF Nations League 2018/20 Edition" (PDF). res.cloudinary.com. CONCACAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  6. ^ "Concacaf Announces Updated September Ranking and Gold Cup Seeded Nations". CONCACAF.com. August 31, 2018. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Concacaf Statement regarding the suspension of the Concacaf Nations League Finals, Road to Gold Cup Qualifiers and Flow Caribbean Club Championship". CONCACAF. April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "New Concacaf Qualifiers announced for regional qualification to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". CONCACAF. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "CONCACAF Nations League Finals rescheduled for June 2021". CONCACAF. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  10. ^ "Concacaf and CBS Sports agree to multi-year media rights partnership for Concacaf Nations League and new Concacaf women's national team competitions". CONCACAF. February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals provisional rosters and kick off times confirmed". CONCACAF. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  12. ^ "Final 23-player rosters confirmed for 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals". CONCACAF. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "Officials Appointed for 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals". CONCACAF. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals provisional rosters and kick off times confirmed". CONCACAF. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Goff, Steven [@SoccerInsider] (June 3, 2021). "USMNT vs. Honduras kickoff: 5:36 pm local (7:36 ET). TV: CBS Sports Network, Univision, TUDN. Mexico-Costa Rica match listed at 8 pm local but won't kick off until 8:36 local (Univision, TUDN)" (Tweet). Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ a b Tannenwald, Jonathan (June 3, 2021). "Jordan Siebatcheu's late goal gives USMNT ugly 1–0 win over Honduras in Nations League semifinal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  17. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 3, 2021). "You have voted! Jordan Siebatcheu is our MOTM!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 3, 2021 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ a b "Match officials appointed for 2021 CNLF Semifinals". CONCACAF. June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals provisional rosters and kick off times confirmed". CONCACAF. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  20. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 4, 2021). "¡Guillermo Ochoa el penal definitivo para darle el pase a Selección Nacional de México la final de la Liga de Naciones! ¡Felicidades al Jugador del Partido!" [Guillermo Ochoa's penalty save to give the Mexico national team a place in the final of the Nations League! Congratulations to the Man of the Match!] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved June 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals provisional rosters and kick off times confirmed". CONCACAF. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Goff, Steven [@SoccerInsider] (June 6, 2021). "Concacaf Nations League matchday – 3rd-place game: Costa Rica v Honduras, 4:36 pm local kickoff/6:36 ET (UniMas, TUDN, Paramount+). Final: United States v Mexico, 7:36 pm local kickoff/9:36 ET (CBS Sports Network, Univision, TUDN, Paramount+)" (Tweet). Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ a b Keeler, Sean (June 6, 2021). "Highlands Ranch native Ethan Horvath, Christian Pulisic lift U.S. to 3–2 win over Mexico". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  24. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 6, 2021). "Luis López ataja el último penal y Honduras gana el tercer lugar de CNL. ¡Felicidades al Jugador del Partido!" [Luis López saves the last penalty and Honduras wins third place in the CNL. Congratulations to the Man of the Match!] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ a b "Match officials appointed for 2021 CNLF 3rd Place Match and Final". CONCACAF. June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  26. ^ "2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals provisional rosters and kick off times confirmed". CONCACAF. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  27. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 6, 2021). "Ethan Horvath's heroic save, gives the USMNT the CNL Championship win! Congratulations, Man of the Match!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 7, 2021). "Here is the Best XI of the Concacaf Nations League Finals" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Weston McKennie of US has won the @ScotiabankFC Best Player Award". Twitter. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
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