Sports News

By Steven Goff, Washington Post

March 23, 2024 | 3:14 PM

ARLINGTON, Tex. – On Sunday night, the U.S. men’s national soccer team will attempt to win a third consecutive Concacaf Nations League trophy.

It will also try to win over more fans.

The majority of the crowd at AT&T Stadium is expected to support the other finalist, Mexico, whose fan base in the United States is so large and devoted, most of the team’s “home” friendlies have been played at U.S. venues for years.

Nevertheless, the Americans see opportunity to continue attracting new fans in the U.S.-based Latin American community ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada. In particular, they are aiming to engage a younger generation that does not necessarily have unbreakable rooting interests tied to family lineage.

“That is our job – as players, as role models, as people – to put ourselves out there to bring these youngsters and maybe convert others to rooting for the U.S.,” U.S. defender Tim Ream said. “Their home is the U.S., and we want to make sure we’re putting on good performances but also representing the country in a very positive way.”

“And hopefully,” Ream added, “that gives them a team, players and a group they can potentially support and root for each and every time we play.”

Concacaf, soccer’s regional governing body, stages almost all international tournaments in the United States, in part because demographics here ensure a mixed audience. That is certainly the case in the biennial Gold Cup, with about a dozen teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean competing in several cities.

For small-format events, such as the Nations League final four, Concacaf chooses large venues to accommodate tens of thousands of Mexican fans and maximize ticket revenue. The previous Nations League final fours were held at NFL stadiums in Denver and Las Vegas.

Thursday’s semifinal doubleheader drew an announced crowd of 40,926. Only a fraction, though, was on hand for the kickoff of the U.S.-Jamaica opener. The Sunday night final is expected to attract greater U.S. fan turnout – but also a larger contingent supporting Mexico.

Despite fewer fans in their corner, the Americans defeated their rivals in each of the previous two Nations Leagues: 3-2 in extra time of the 2021 final and 3-0 in the 2023 semifinal.

On Sunday, the teams will meet in a knockout game for the 15th time in their contentious history. Mexico has won five of eight Gold Cup clashes, but lost the 2002 World Cup round-of-16 showdown and the 1995 Copa América quarterfinal in a shootout. The Mexicans lead the all-time series 36-23-17 but are winless in the past six rumbles.

To extend its streak – and win over fans – the United States will need to show marked improvement after needing a last-gasp own goal and two extra-time goals by substitute Haji Wright to defeat Jamaica, 3-1.

“Not our best day, not my best day,” U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic said.

The Americans fell behind 31 seconds into the match, a baffling lapse that prompted Coach Gregg Berhalter to say his players did not take his warnings about Concacaf games to heart. “Somewhere along the line it goes in one ear and out the other one,” Berhalter said.

In the 2021 Nations League final, his team conceded a goal to Mexico in the second minute.

Aside from Wright, fellow substitute Gio Reyna shined against Jamaica. After playing just 38 minutes in three appearances since joining Premier League club Nottingham Forest in late January, Reyna logged 75 minutes Thursday and assisted on Wright’s goals.

“I understood my role coming into this first game and it kind of played out how it could have played out in terms of me coming off the bench and bringing a spark,” the 21-year-old midfielder said.

Berhalter was also heartened by the return of midfielder Tyler Adams, who made his first U.S. appearance since captaining the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar.

As Adams continues building strength and stamina after two hamstring operations, the U.S. and Bournemouth coaching staffs agreed his minutes in the Nations League should be capped. He played 37 minutes Thursday before departing in extra time.

“I could have played 90 minutes, if you ask me,” said Adams, who added he hoped he could play more in Sunday’s final. “Everyone wants to hold me back. That’s just the competitor I am. Never happy to get subbed out of the game after getting subbed in. I have to deal with it.”

The United States also expects to receive a boost from Sergiño Dest, Berhalter’s first-choice right back, who served a red-card suspension Thursday.