The United States men's national team won the inagural Concacaf Nations League with a 3-2 victory over Mexico at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, thanks to a game-winning penalty kick from Christian Pulisic and a colossal late penalty-kick save from substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. This is a match that hopefully sets the stage for the future of this young national team. WHAT A MATCH IT WAS.

The exillirating and chaotic match saw the US come from behind twice to force extra time, scoring huge equalizers after falling behind 1-0 and 2-1, then getting the eventual match-winner from Pulisic on a hotly contested penalty kick. Horvath added the cherry on top with a game-saving penalty kick save shot by Mexico captain Andrés Guardado after a handball call gave El Tri a chance to tie the game and force penalty kicks.

The match got off to a disastrous start for the US, as Mexico took the lead through Corona just two minutes in, thanks to a giveaway at the back from Mark McKenzie. Corona's finish was flawless, slotting it past starting US goalkeeper Zack Steffen to give El Tri a shocking 1-0 lead.

The US narrowly dodged another goal conceded just before the halftime break, when Mexico's Chucky Lozano found himself with a breakaway opportunity against Steffen. The Manchester City keeper had to make a crucial breakaway save to preserve the 1-1 deadlock heading into the break.

The frantic pace continued into the second half, with the United States firing a pair of warning shots after the hour mark, with McKennie denied twice by highlight-reel worthy saves from Ochoa. However, it was Mexico who scored the game's go ahead goal, as Diego Lainez scored El Tri's second in the 79th minute, just after coming on as a substitute.  slot home a clinical finish past Horvath, who had come on after Steffen had to leave the game with an apparent leg injury.

However, the US struck back yet again, with McKennie getting the better of Ochoa with yet another header off a corner kick that just managed to squeak into the goal. Mexico had the best chance before the final whistle, with Lozano unleashing a laser shot from distance that appeared to be headed for goal, but Horvath came up with a diving save of his own to preserve the tie in dramatic fashion, sending the match into extra time.

Following a scoreless first period of extra time, Pulisic earned the game-winning penalty in the 110th minute after crashing in the box while being challenged by two Mexican defenders. Referee John Pitti initially refused to award the penalty kick, but did so after a lengthy delay in which Mexico coach Tata Martino was also shown a red card. Pulisic then stepped to the penalty spot and rifled a top class penalty into the upper right corner, giving the young USA squad a 3-2 lead and sending the American fans in attendance into a frenzy.

After a lengthy Video Review, McKenzie was called for a handball in his own box, sending Guardado to the spot for a look at a leveler that would have sent the match to a penalty kick shootout. But Horvath came through with another highlight-reel sprawling denial, allowing the Yanks to win the Concacaf Nations League for the first time.

[Photos by ICONIC photographer Matt Trappe]