Giovanni Reyna crowned an outstanding tournament with a goal in the final against Mexico and won the Nations League in the CONCACAF association with the USA. However, the spectators caused interruptions on Monday night (March 25, 2024).
This is the third time in a row that the USA have won the title in this competition. After a goal from former Leipzig player Tyler Adams (45th minute), Reyna (63rd) scored the final score of 2-0 (1-0) against arch-rivals Mexico in Dallas.
It was not least because of Reyna that the USA reached the final in the first place. In the 3-1 win after extra time in the semi-final against Jamaica, he was the decisive player with the assists for Haji Wright’s winning goal. It was also the third Nations League final in a row that Reyna left his mark on. In the 3:2 nV in the 2021 final, also against Mexico, he scored one goal and prepared another. In the 2023 title win, he scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Canada.
Big fan problems two years before the World Cup
However, the game had to be interrupted several times due to homophobic chants from the fans. The continental association for North and Central America and the Caribbean said it condemned the discriminatory chants of Mexican fans. Stadium security personnel identified a significant number of spectators involved and removed them from the arena in Arlington, Texas.
But those weren’t the only incidents. After Reyna’s goal, the celebrating US team was hit by things fans threw onto the field. “We want a great atmosphere, but we don’t want things to be thrown at us. That’s dangerous, someone could get hurt,” said US coach Gregg Berhalter.
CONCACAF initially did not announce any disciplinary measures after the game was interrupted. “It is extremely disappointing that this matter continues to be an issue in some games, especially in the context that in two years there will be an enormous opportunity to further grow the sport in our region,” the association said. The USA, Mexico and Canada will host the World Cup in 2026.
