US beats Canada to win second straight CONCACAF Nations League title

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Having scored his first goal for the United States and won his first medal, Folarin Balogun looked to a future that includes a 2026 World Cup co-hosted by America.

"I've only here a short amount of time, but already I feel a part of it and I feel a part of something bigger," he said.

Balogun and Chris Richards scored their first international goals, both off assists from Gio Reyna, and the U.S. beat Canada 2-0 on Sunday night for the Americans' second straight CONCACAF Nations League title.

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United States players celebrate after defeating Canada in a CONCACAF Nations League final match Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/John Locher)

"It’s another step in the right direction," U.S. captain Christian Pulisic said. "It’s just going to be about these knockout games. Come those big tournaments, Copa América, World Cup, it’s time to get tough. We got to step up and score the goals when it counts and keep them out of our goal."

Richards scored in the 12th minute from Reyna's corner kick, bouncing a header from 7 yards to the left of goalkeeper Milan Borjan for his first goal in 10 international appearances.

Balogun, who debuted in Thursday's 3-0 win over Mexico after choosing to play for the U.S. over England, doubled the lead in the 34th when he took a feed from Reyna and held off Scott Kennedy with his right arm to slot past Borjan.

"We’re looking beyond to the 2026 World Cup, and we need to perform in high-intensity knockout games," interim coach B.J. Callaghan said. "That’s something that we learned from the World Cup."

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