2021_CONCACAF_Nations_League_Finals

2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals

International football competition


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.

Quick Facts Tournament details, Host country ...

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

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

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

More information Group, Winners ...

Schedule

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

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

More information Seed, Grp ...
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

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]

More information Denver, CO, Denver ...

Squads

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

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

Bracket

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

Honduras vs United States

More information Honduras, 0–1 ...
Attendance: 34,451[16]
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)

Honduras
United States
GK22Luis López
RB23Diego RodríguezYellow card 57'downward-facing red arrow 65'
CB3Maynor Figueroa (c)
CB4Marcelo Pereiradownward-facing red arrow 74'
LB2Kevin Álvarez
RM17Jonathan Torodownward-facing red arrow 63'
CM20Deybi Flores
CM10Alexander Lópezdownward-facing red arrow 64'
LM11Rigoberto Rivasdownward-facing red arrow 74'
CF9Anthony Lozano
CF7Alberth ElisYellow card 90+6'
Substitutions:
MF8Edwin Rodríguezupward-facing green arrow 63'
MF6Bryan AcostaYellow card 75'upward-facing green arrow 64'
DF5Éver Alvaradoupward-facing green arrow 65'
MF14Boniek Garcíaupward-facing green arrow 74'
MF21Jhow Benavídezupward-facing green arrow 74'
Manager:
Uruguay Fabián Coito
GK1Zack Steffen (c)
RB2Sergiño Dest
CB6John Brooks
CB15Mark McKenzieYellow card 84'
LB5Antonee Robinsondownward-facing red arrow 78'
CM8Weston McKennie
CM14Jackson Yueilldownward-facing red arrow 83'
RW7Giovanni Reynadownward-facing red arrow 78'
AM17Sebastian Lletget
LW10Christian Pulisicdownward-facing red arrow 90+4'
CF9Josh Sargentdownward-facing red arrow 78'
Substitutions:
FW11Brenden Aaronsonupward-facing green arrow 78'
DF20Reggie Cannonupward-facing green arrow 78'
FW16Jordan Pefokupward-facing green arrow 78'
MF23Kellyn Acostaupward-facing green arrow 83'
DF3Matt Miazgaupward-facing green arrow 90+4'
MF4Tyler Adams[note 2]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

More information Mexico, 0–0 ...
Attendance: 34,451[16]
Referee: Bryan López (Guatemala)

Mexico
Costa Rica
GK13Guillermo Ochoa
CB2Néstor Araujo
CB4Edson ÁlvarezYellow card 84'
CB15Héctor MorenoYellow card 90+3'
RM20Uriel AntunaYellow card 90'
CM16Héctor Herreradownward-facing red arrow 78'
CM18Andrés Guardado (c)downward-facing red arrow 58'
LM19Gerardo Arteagadownward-facing red arrow 68'
RW14Diego Lainezdownward-facing red arrow 58'
CF9Henry Martíndownward-facing red arrow 58'
LW22Hirving Lozano
Substitutions:
DF21Luis Rodríguezupward-facing green arrow 58'
DF7Luis Romoupward-facing green arrow 58'
FW11Alan Pulidoupward-facing green arrow 58'
DF23Jesús Gallardoupward-facing green arrow 68'
MF10Orbelín Pinedaupward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino
GK23Leonel Moreira
RB4Keysher Fuller
CB6Óscar Duarte
CB15Francisco CalvoYellow card 21'
LB8Bryan Oviedo
CM10Bryan Ruiz (c)downward-facing red arrow 62'
CM17Yeltsin Tejeda
CM5Celso Borgesdownward-facing red arrow 82'
RW21Alonso MartínezYellow card 54'downward-facing red arrow 62'
CF12Joel Campbelldownward-facing red arrow 85'
LW11Randall Lealdownward-facing red arrow 85'
Substitutions:
FW2Ariel Lassiterupward-facing green arrow 62'
MF13Allan CruzYellow card 90'upward-facing green arrow 62'
MF14Bernald Alfaroupward-facing green arrow 82'
FW7Johan Venegasupward-facing green arrow 85'
FW9Jurguens Montenegroupward-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

Attendance: 37,648[23]
Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)

Honduras
Costa Rica
GK22Luis López
RB2Kevin ÁlvarezYellow card 70'
CB4Marcelo Pereira
CB3Maynor Figueroa (c)
LB23Diego Rodríguezdownward-facing red arrow 78'
RM11Rigoberto Rivasdownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM20Deybi Flores
CM6Bryan Acosta
LM8Edwin Rodríguezdownward-facing red arrow 78'
CF7Alberth Elis
CF9Anthony Lozanodownward-facing red arrow 63'
Substitutions:
MF10Alexander Lópezupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW12Jorge Benguchéupward-facing green arrow 63'
DF5Éver Alvaradoupward-facing green arrow 78'
FW17Jonathan Toroupward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Uruguay Fabián Coito
GK23Leonel Moreira
RB4Keysher Fuller
CB6Óscar Duarte
CB15Francisco Calvo
LB8Bryan Oviedodownward-facing red arrow 49'
DM17Yeltsin Tejeda
CM10Bryan Ruiz (c)downward-facing red arrow 58'
CM5Celso Borgesdownward-facing red arrow 58'
RW21Alonso MartínezYellow card 76'
CF12Joel Campbelldownward-facing red arrow 72'
LW11Randall Lealdownward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutions:
DF22Joseph Moraupward-facing green arrow 49'
FW7Johan Venegasupward-facing green arrow 58'
MF13Allan Cruzupward-facing green arrow 58'
FW2Ariel Lassiterupward-facing green arrow 58'
MF20Gerson Torresupward-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

More information United States, 3–2 (a.e.t.) ...
United States
Mexico
GK1Zack Steffendownward-facing red arrow 69'
CB15Mark McKenzieYellow card 86'
CB6John BrooksYellow card 10'
CB13Tim Reamdownward-facing red arrow 83'
RM22DeAndre YedlinYellow card 90+4'downward-facing red arrow 105+1'
CM8Weston McKennie
CM23Kellyn AcostaYellow card 49'
LM2Sergiño Destdownward-facing red arrow 60'
RW7Giovanni Reynadownward-facing red arrow 83'
CF9Josh Sargentdownward-facing red arrow 68'
LW10Christian Pulisic (c)Yellow card 115'
Substitutions:
FW21Timothy Weahupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW16Jordan Pefokupward-facing green arrow 68'
GK12Ethan Horvathupward-facing green arrow 69'
MF17Sebastian Lletgetupward-facing green arrow 83'
MF4Tyler Adamsupward-facing green arrow 83'
DF20Reggie Cannonupward-facing green arrow 105+1'
Manager:
Gregg Berhalter
GK13Guillermo Ochoa (c)
CB2Néstor Araujo
CB4Edson Álvarezdownward-facing red arrow 117'
CB15Héctor Morenodownward-facing red arrow 100'
RM21Luis Rodríguez
CM16Héctor HerreraYellow card 90+2'downward-facing red arrow 100'
CM8Carlos Rodríguezdownward-facing red arrow 66'
LM23Jesús Gallardo
RW17Jesús Coronadownward-facing red arrow 66'
CF20Uriel Antunadownward-facing red arrow 78'
LW22Hirving LozanoYellow card 111'
Substitutions:
DF7Luis Romoupward-facing green arrow 66'
FW9Henry Martínupward-facing green arrow 66'
MF14Diego Lainezupward-facing green arrow 78'
DF3Carlos Salcedoupward-facing green arrow 100'
MF18Andrés GuardadoYellow card 120+10'upward-facing green arrow 100'
MF10Orbelín Pinedaupward-facing green arrow 117'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo MartinoRed 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

Goalscorers

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

1 goal

Awards

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

Notes

  1. Though listed with a 17:30 kick-off time,[14] the match began at 17:36.[15]
  2. Adams was booked on the substitutes' bench, despite not playing any part in the match.
  3. Though listed with a 20:00 kick-off time,[19] the match began at 20:36.[15]
  4. Though listed with a 16:30 kick-off time,[21] the match began at 16:36.[22]
  5. Though listed with a 19:00 kick-off time,[26] the match actually began at 19:36.[22]

References

  1. "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. "Texas to Host First-Ever Concacaf Nations League Finals in June 2020". CONCACAF. March 9, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "CONCACAF Nations League Finals rescheduled for June 2021". CONCACAF. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 7, 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.
  9. "Match officials appointed for 2021 CNLF 3rd Place Match and Final". CONCACAF. June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  10. CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 8, 2021). "Here is the Best XI of the Concacaf Nations League Finals" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2021 via Twitter.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2021_CONCACAF_Nations_League_Finals, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.