DENVER — Some 30 minutes had passed since the end of an epic night of soccer, and most of the U.S. men’s national team remained on a confetti-sprinkled field usually reserved for Broncos celebrations. They mugged for photos, admired their championship medals and took turns hoisting the stone-and-silver-plated trophy.
They didn’t win a World Cup or qualify for one late Sunday night. The Concacaf Nations League didn’t even exist three years ago.
But amid Coach Gregg Berhalter’s efforts in molding a young squad and returning it to international respectability, the 3-2 extra-time victory over battle-rested Mexico was a big deal.