The CONCACAF Nations League semifinal between USA and Mexico ended on a sour note after a big scuffle between players from both teams resulted in four red cards and the match being suspended for a while because of homophobic chants by the crowd.
USA were winning the match 3-0 when an unnecessary foul by Cesar Montes on Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun was met with furious shoving between players of both teams. Montes was given a straight red card in the 69th minute, and the ensuing scuffle saw midfielder Weston McKennie given a red card two minutes later for placing a hand on Jorge Sanchez's neck.
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Meanwhile, their victory sealed USA's place in the final against Canada. Led by skipper Christian Pulisic, who scored in either half, as a third by Ricardo Pepi, USA have a chance to retain the trophy.
Making his first start for club or country since April 15, Pulisic scored in the 37th minute and then doubled the lead in the 46th just after the start of the second half. He now has 25 goals in 59 international appearances, including four goals against Mexico. Pepi scored in the 79th minute as well.
With their first three-goal victory over Mexico in 23 years, USA stretched their unbeaten streak against El Tri to six (three wins, three draws), matching the Americans' longest, from 2011-15.
The US went ahead when Gio Reyna poked the ball off Montes and then while prone, poked it forward off Jorge Sanchez. Pulisic burst behind the defenders, took a pair of touches and from the edge of the 6-yard box slotted the ball past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
For the second goal, Weston McKennie started the move with a long pass down a flank to Tim Weah, who crossed. A sprinting Pulisic got behind Israel Reyes and Sánchez, stabbing the ball in with his left foot from 6 yards.
Pepi scored his seventh international goal, taking a pass from Dest, taking a touch and rounding Ochoa. Dest and Arteaga were sent off in the 86th for shoving each other. Reyna, his hair dyed blond, made his first start for club or country since March 27, also the last time Dest and goalkeeper Matt Turner had appeared in any match.
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(With AP Inputs)
