Berhalter used Michael Jordan three-peat as USMNT inspiration - ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter hailed his side's ability to play under pressure in defeating Mexico 2-0 to claim its third Concacaf Nations League crowns.

The U.S. rode goals either side of halftime from Tyler Adams and CNL Player of the Tournament Giovanni Reyna. The USMNT also was rock steady in defense to extend its unbeaten streak against Mexico to seven games, the longest for the U.S. in the series.

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«Today's a final and you could see the guys are super focused all throughout the day,» Berhalter said. «To me, we knew what type of game it was going to be and that was important. We wanted to maintain calm and play our football and credit to the guys because I think the intensity stayed in a really high level for the whole game and that was really important, especially against Mexico.»

The U.S. remains the only team to have won the CNL. Berhalter revealed that he used the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls as motivation for his team, photoshopping the CNL trophy onto a photo of Joran holding up three fingers.

«That was what we were focused on,» he said of the three-peat. «It doesn't happen too often. I think in North American sports in the last 50 years, pro sports, it's probably happened six times, so it's rare. And congratulations to the guys. Congratulations for playing a great final.»

Berhalter was also full of praise for Reyna, who with a goal and two assists was a worthy winner of the Player of the Tournament award.

«I think he had a great performance, 75 minutes, and he hasn't had that much game time in a while,» Berhalter said. «And for him it was just a mental thing. He was determined to grind through it and power