When the U.S. men's national team faces Jamaica in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League on Thursday, it will be looking to take the next step toward a CNL three-peat. The U.S. claimed the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021, when it defeated Mexico 3-2 in extra time, and maintained its hold on the trophy two years later with a 2-0 win over Canada. A win against Jamaica and victory in the subsequent final three days later will cement the U.S.'s status (at least in terms of the CNL) as the Kings of Concacaf.
The Concacaf Nations League has proven to be a vital engine for the development of national teams in Central America and the Caribbean. Prior to the introduction of the Nations League, some countries would go multiple years without their men's national teams playing a match. For example, the Cayman Islands didn't play a single match from April 2015 through August 2018.
The CNL is divided into three tiered leagues -- A, B, and C -- with promotion and relegation between them based on finishing position in each group. The winners of the groups in League A then square off to determine the CNL champion, ensuring every country gets a steady stream of games. Thanks to the Nations League, the Cayman Islands played five matches in 2023 alone.
While the CNL benefits the entire region, the value proposition for top teams like the U.S. and Mexico is less clear. The debate arises whether playing in a knockout-style tournament against familiar opposition or high-profile friendlies against top teams like Brazil or Spain would be more beneficial.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the need for a more varied schedule is evident. The commercial aspects of the CNL also come into play, with winners receiving $2 million. However, the financial gains may not match those from hosting high-profile friendlies against top international teams.
Despite the challenges, the U.S. isn't devoid of opportunities to face tough competition in the lead-up to the World Cup. Friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, as well as participation in the Copa America, provide avenues for testing the team. However, the current landscape of preparation is far from ideal as the team aims to maximize its opportunities to fine-tune ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
