Canada men’s soccer team loses to US in CONCACAF Nations League final, extending trophy drought

Leading up to their first final in 23 years, several veteran members of Canada’s men’s national soccer team appeared to have watery eyes as the national anthems blared through Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Canada lost 2-0 to the United States in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League, the second edition of a tournament that replaced international friendlies in the region and gave a new trophy to men’s national teams — giving Canada a better chance at regional glory.

The USA opened the scoring 11 minutes into the game, when Chris Richards evaded a defender in the 18-yard block before heading Gio Reyna’s corner past Canada’s Milan Borjan. The Americans extended their lead in the 34th minute when Reyna Folarin set up Balogun for his first international goal after opting to represent the US over England.

After their first World Cup appearance in 36 years in Qatar, the chance to play for a trophy for the first time since winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000 was invaluable for a changing Canadian group such as 21-year-old Ismaël Koné and Alphonso Davies, 22, continue to lead the team into the next generation.

Canada reached the final of the competition with a 2-0 victory over Panama on Thursday, with Ottawa’s Jonathan David and Edmonton’s Alphonso Davies both scoring. Meanwhile, the US defeated Mexico 3-0 in a spirited four-red card semi-final.

LOOK | Davies’ powerful shot seals semi-final victory over Panama:

With the loss, head coach John Herdman and the Canadian team look forward to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which opens June 27, where they will play in a group alongside Guatemala, Cuba, and a team that has yet to qualify.

More to come.