LAS VEGAS, NV — The USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) squared off against the Mexican National team in the CONCACAF Nations League Semifinal on Thursday, June 15. After Christian Pulisic put the U.S. up 2-0 in the second half, tempers on the Mexican side flared. Four red cards later, the head official called the game with time left on the clock after the game slowly crept out of control. The USMNT moved on to the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League Final 3-0.
The two goals from Christian Pulisic, one in the first half and one in the second, opened up the gap for the United States and caused tempers to go out of control for the Mexican National team. The second goal caused the wheels to fall off for Mexico.
Cesar Montes received a red card after he deliberately took out Folarin Balogun’s legs on a breakaway. In retaliation, Weston Mckennie animatedly shoved and pushed his way through the subsequent scrum until he, too, received a red card.
Following the two dismissals, USMNT’s Ricardo Pepi scored a third goal for the Americans.
Mexico let its displeasure be felt after Gerado Artega committed another foul. Sergino Dest’s response had both players sent off with two more red cards. Both teams finished with nine men each as the match approached its final minutes. The referee ultimately ended the game early after anti-gay chanting was heard from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Mexico fans routinely use the chant at international and national competitions. FIFA levied a $100,000 fine against the Mexican national team for the chant by the crowd during the World Cup.
“Concacaf strongly condemns the discriminatory chanting by some fans during the CNL Semifinal match between Mexico and the United States,” the organization said in a statement Friday.
“Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Additionally, security staff ejected several fans for engaging in unacceptable behavior in the stadium,” they added.
The victory over Mexico extends the United States’ win streak to six games in international play. Next up, the USMNT faces off against Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League Final. The match is scheduled for this Sunday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Las Vegas.
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