While neither the United States nor Canada reached the Concacaf Nations League final, their third-place match still holds significant importance for both coaches and players. For managers like Mauricio Pochettino and Jesse Marsch, this game presents a valuable opportunity to demonstrate progress after recent defeats and test their teams against strong opposition. This is especially crucial as both nations prepare for the 2026 World Cup without participating in qualifiers.
Although no trophy is at stake, this match is far from meaningless. Players on both sides will be eager to impress and secure their spot on the World Cup roster, particularly with the upcoming Gold Cup potentially limiting opportunities for some due to club commitments.
In their recent encounters, the United States and Canada have proven to be closely matched. In 2023, the USMNT won one game and drew another against Canada, while Canada secured a victory in a friendly match in 2024. The absence of Antonee Robinson will pose a challenge for the USMNT, but these are the kinds of trials that help determine which players are ready for Pochettino`s squad.
How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, March 23
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, California
- Live stream: Paramount+
Key Storylines
USMNT: Following their struggles to score against Panama, the USMNT must take the initiative offensively, or Canada`s attack will punish them. Pochettino emphasized the need for more aggression and competitiveness in scoring, despite acknowledging the team`s effort and game plan execution in the previous match.
To inject more creativity and dribbling ability into the attack, players like Diego Luna or Gio Reyna could be crucial against Canada. The decision of which player to use may depend on their performance in training. Reyna, in particular, needs to prove his worth in Pochettino`s system after limited playing time at Dortmund. Unlocking a new dimension in the USMNT`s attack is vital for this match.
USMNT Predicted XI: Matt Turner, Max Arftsen, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Joe Scally, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Diego Luna, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah
Canada: Canada has established itself as a top Concacaf team, but defeating the United States is essential for solidifying that status. With many of their key players now in top European leagues, similar to the USMNT, these matches are critical. After a disappointing 2022 World Cup, Marsch needs to demonstrate that this team is ready for bigger stages. A victory against the United States, building on a strong Copa America showing, could signal a significant power shift in the region.
Canada Predicted XI: Dayne St. Clair, Alphonso Davies, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Alistair Johnston, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Jonathan David, Ali Ahmed, Cyle Larin
Match Prediction
Expect a tight contest where the USMNT`s greater squad depth will be the deciding factor, allowing them to secure a late victory. Prediction: USMNT 2, Canada 1
