US 🇺🇲 vs Mexico 🇲🇽 Nations League Final tonight

The US is undefeated against El Tri in a 6 match run stretching back to 2019

The trophy

It feels like so long ago now Ethan Horvath saved that penalty, diving confidently to the right to block Andrés Guardado’s pen. It came in the stoppage time of extra time of a 3-2 bloodbath, immediately preceding the first Nations League trophy for the USMNT. 

Thinking back to that first Nations League in Denver, Tyler Adams told media in Dallas yesterday: 

“Yeah, a lot stands out about that night. I remember substitutes playing a really big role in that game, obviously with it going to extra time. We had a lot of players step up in big moments, make a lot of big plays. And that's what these games are all about at the end of the day. You have to have guys that aren't afraid, and aren't backing down in the big moments, want the ball in tough situations, make big tackles, big plays.” 

The newly returned World Cup captain continued: 

“I remember Ethan obviously making an unbelievable save on a penalty to keep us in the game. And it's about staying in the game at the end of the day. We know how much quality we have. And you know, we're not just relying on the starting 11. There's going to be guys that come off the bench and play a big role. But the team camaraderie that we have, no one's disappointed when they're not starting. They're just ready to come to the game and make an impact.”

As it were, that Starting XI included Zack Steffen, Tim Ream, John Brooks, Mark McKenzie, Deandre Yedlin, Weston McKennie, Kellyn Acosta, Sergino Dest, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent and Christian Pulisic. 

The subs Adams highlighted making a difference include: Tyler Adams, Ethan Horvath, Jordan Pefok, Sebastian Lletget, Reggie Cannon and Tim Weah.