On Saturday, another chapter in the rivalry between the USA and Canada will unfold as they face off in a friendly at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. The USA is coming off a disappointing Copa America campaign where they were eliminated in the group stage, while Canada reached the semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth.
Gregg Berhalter, who led the US to two CONCACAF Nations League titles and a Gold Cup, was dismissed after the Copa America due to the team’s poor performance. Although not officially confirmed, reports suggest that former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be appointed to lead the US team into the next World Cup, which they will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
USA vs. Canada: Team Form and Head-to-Head
Children’s Mercy Park has been a stronghold for the US, where they have won eight of their ten international matches and only conceded two goals. Since June, the US has won only one of their last five matches, a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the 2024 Copa America. They have won two of their last three competitive matches against CONCACAF teams but lost their most recent match at the Copa America to Panama (2-1).
The US is at risk of losing three consecutive competitive fixtures for the first time in nearly nine years, a streak they last experienced in 2015. This match will be Marsch’s first against a CONCACAF nation, with Canada having won two of their last three games against regional opponents. Marsch’s high-energy style has proven challenging, as Canada has failed to win their last two matches when leading at half-time.
Canada has conceded nine of their eleven goals in 2024 during the second half and has lost their last six matches after conceding the opening goal. A win would end Canada’s long away drought against the US, as they have not won on American soil since 1957 (3-2). Two uncapped US players, Marlon Fossey and Diego Kochen, are hoping for their first senior call-ups, while Patrick Schulte has one appearance to his name.
Team News
Varas selected 13 players under 23 years old, including Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Gio Reyna, and Caleb Wiley, who is currently on loan at Strasbourg after signing with Chelsea this summer. In the Copa America, Folarin Balogun scored twice, while captain Christian Pulisic added one goal, reaching 30 goals with the national team, tying him with former US international Brian McBride.
Canada will be without Tajon Buchanan due to a serious leg injury sustained during Copa America. Marsch has called up four uncapped players for this friendly: Stephen Afrifa, Nathan Saliba, Niko Sigur, and Jonathan Sirois.
Captain Alphonso Davies is close to surpassing Ali Gerba for 10th place in Canada’s all-time goal scorers, while Jonathan David, with 28 goals, is one behind Cyle Larin for the most goals in the men’s program’s history.
USA vs. Canada: Probable Starting XI
USA: Turner; Scally, Trusty, Richards, Lund; Tillman, Morris, Musah; Pulisic, Balogun, Wright
Canada: Crepeau; Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Davies; Laryea, Choiniere, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Larin
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