The United States beat Canada 2-0 to win back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League titles ©Getty Images

The United States clinched back-to-back Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League titles with victory against Canada in the final in Paradise in Nevada.

Defender Chris Richards headed the host nation in front from Giovanni Reyna's corner in front of 35,000 fans at the Allegiant Stadium.

Forward Folarin Balogun then grabbed his first goal for the US on just his second appearance with a powerful first-time finish after being played through by Reyna.

US goalkeeper Matt Turner made fine saves from Alphonso Davies and Stephen Eustáquio to preserve his team's advantage, and early in the second half a fine close-range stop from Milan Borjan denied Balogun his second of the match.

An early goal from Jesús Gallardo was all it took for Mexico to win a sparsely-attended third-place playoff against Panama at the same venue earlier in the day.

Chris Roberts scored the opening goal as the United States beat 2-0 to retain the CONCACF Nations Cup title ©Getty Images
Chris Roberts scored the opening goal as the United States beat 2-0 to retain the CONCACF Nations Cup title ©Getty Images

The US had beaten Mexico 3-0 in the semi-finals in an ugly contest which featured four red cards and was ended prematurely because of homophobic chanting from the crowd.

Referee Iván Barton from El Salvador initially paused the game in the 89th minute because of the chanting from the crowd, and ended the match roughly eight minutes into 12 of stoppage time when they were heard again from Turner's goal-kick.

CONCACAF confirmed America's 3-0 win through two goals from Christian Pulisic and one from Ricardo Pepi would stand, and said it "strongly condemns the discriminatory chanting by some fans".

The Mexican Football Federation has been fined on several occasions by FIFA for homophobic chanting by their fans while the rival goalkeeper is taking goal-kicks, including at last year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which again led to it being forced to play a match behind closed doors.

Mexico's César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga, as well as America's Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, were all sent off during the semi-final.

Montes was dismissed for kicking out at Balogun, with McKennie red-carded for his role in the scuffle.

The second flashpoint led to dismissals for Arteaga and Dest in a mass brawl.

The semi-final between the US and Mexico was marred by four red cards and homophobic chanting ©Getty Images
The semi-final between the US and Mexico was marred by four red cards and homophobic chanting ©Getty Images

In the other semi-final, goals from Jonathan David and talisman Davies helped Canada to beat Panama 2-0.

The line-up for the Nations League Finals was based on League A of the 2022-2023 edition, in which the US, Panama, Canada and Mexico all topped their groups.

The CONCACAF Nations League is set to undergo a format change for the 2023-2024 season, with League A expanding from 12 to 16 teams.

The top four teams in the CONCACAF rankings are assured of a place in a new quarter-final round, with the remaining 12 teams played under a so-called Swiss system in which they are divided into two groups of six and the top two from each progress to the next phase.

This year's finals served as a warm-up to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Canada and the US, due to be held from Saturday (June 24) until July 16.