The official Best XI from the Concacaf Nations League Finals was released Tuesday, and the 3-4-3 formation includes four US men’s national team players alongside Chicago Fire FC defender Franciso Calvo (Costa Rica).
The lineup includes all three USMNT goalscorers from their 3-2 win over Mexico in the championship match. Chelsea star Christian Pulisic slots into the attacking three after depositing a penalty kick in extra time that helped head coach Gregg Berhalter’s young side secure the inaugural trophy.
The other two goalscorers, Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie, occupied two of the four midfield spots. Reyna bagged the opener to prompt a 1-1 stalemate going into halftime, while McKennie powerfully headed home a late equalizer that negated El Tri’s second lead of the game.
The USMNT quartet is rounded out by center back John Brooks, who combined with McKennie for Jordan Siebatcheu’s 89th-minute winner in the 1-0 semifinal victory over Honduras. On the defensive side, Brooks ably partnered with Mark McKenzie in the semifinal before helping neutralize Mexico’s Hirving Lozano in the final.
As for Calvo, he’s one of three center backs in the squad after Costa Rica twice lost in penalty kicks to settle for a fourth-place finish. If that tiebreaker wasn’t needed, Los Ticos would’ve left with a 0-0 draw against Mexico and 2-2 result with Honduras in the third-place game.
The MLS connections continue with academies, as Reyna developed in New York City FC’s youth system before joining perennial Bundesliga contenders Borussia Dortmund. McKennie, who’s now at Serie A giants Juventus, developed with FC Dallas ahead of his initial European move to German side FC Schalke 04.
One last MLS-centric Best XI connection arrives via Honduras forward Alberth Elis, who’s now at Primeira Liga club Boavista. He joined the Portuguese side last September from Houston Dynamo FC after recording 34 goals and 27 assists over 88 MLS regular-season appearances. Elis was Los Catrachos' top threat, scoring in the third-place game against Costa Rica.
