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USA vs Canada Preview
The USA and Canada clash on September 7 at 4:00 pm in their first games after Copa America 2024. Canada will hope to kick on from a successful campaign after finishing third in their first-ever appearance at the competition.
The USA is managerless following a less successful end to Copa America. Can the Canucks show further improvement from the summer to see off their neighbours to the south or will the USA get back to winning ways on home soil?
USA vs Canada Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The USA and Canada have been frequent opponents throughout history, clashing on 42 occasions since 1885. The Stars and Stripes boast the better record, winning 20 of their meetings and losing 11 with 11 draws. These sides last met in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals in July 2023. A tense affair saw the USA squeeze past Canada on penalties following extra time with the game finishing 2-2 after 120 minutes.
HIGHLIGHTS: #CANMNT 🇨🇦 2-2 🇺🇸 (2-3 Pens)
Canada bow out of the 2023 @GoldCup.
🎥: @onesoccer
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 10, 2023
The USMNT dominated the game with 68% possession and 21 shots with eight on target. Canada managed just five shots and two on target, though scored with both efforts. Substitute Brandon Vazquez broke the deadlock for the USA in the 88th minute and thought he had won the game. However, Steven Vitoria buried his penalty five minutes later to level the game in added time. Jacob Shaffelburg put the Canucks ahead in the 109th minute before Scott Kennedy’s own goal put the USA back on level terms in the 114th. Canada battled bravely, but Matt Turner saved two penalties in the shootout to give the USA a well-earned victory.
Canada last played on July 13 in the third-place playoff game against Uruguay at Copa America. Their dream run in the competition ended on penalties against Marcelo Bielsa’s team following a 2-2 draw in normal time. Les Rouges came from behind to take the lead late on before allowing a late equalizer to take the game to spot kicks.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur opened the scoring for Los Charrúas after just eight minutes. The ball fell to his feet, following a corner, and he rifled his shot into the roof of the net. Ismael Kone scored a smart scissor-kick in the 22nd minute to equalize. Both sides had chances to take the lead, forcing strong saves from Dayne St. Clair and Sergio Rochet, which kept the scores level.
Canada broke in the 80th minute and Rochet spilled Kone’s shot into the path of Jonathan David. The forward stroked home an easy finish to put Les Rouges ahead late in the day. A last-gasp finish from Luis Suarez in the 92nd minute forced Canada to penalties. Rochet saved Kone’s penalty and Alphonso Davies hit the crossbar to confirm an agonizing 4-3 loss on penalties for Canada.
The USA had a poor Copa America campaign, confirming an early exit with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay in their final group stage game on July 1. The Stars and Stripes put on a brave performance but ultimately fell short, sent crashing out of the competition they hosted after a 1-0 loss.
The first half was quiet, but the USA’s fouls caused some disruption, with Uruguay having the best chances to score. Regardless, the half ended 0-0 with the USA knowing they needed a result to get through to the quarterfinals. Uruguay had the better chances in the second half, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute when Mathias Olivera tapped in Turner’s parry. The USA pushed for an equalizer, but poor finishing cost them in the box. They finished with virtually identical possession stats but could not find the net from their three shots on target compared to Uruguay’s five.
USA vs Canada Predictions
Correct score predictions: USA 2-1 Canada
There is a lot of speculation surrounding the managerial vacancy in the USA right now. They dismissed Gregg Berhalter following their failure in Copa America and it seems former Spurs, Chelsea, and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite to take the hot seat. However, they will not make it official before this game, and Mikey Varas will take the reins on an interim basis. It is hard to predict how a team can play without a head coach, but we often see the ‘no manager bounce’ spur them on. The USA should have enough quality on paper to see them through this game and our soccer prediction is for a victory for the Stars and Striped at Children’s Mercy Park.
Canada was impressive at Copa America and went further than most predicted in their first-ever appearance in the competition. Both teams are playing through a golden generation of players with the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David turning out for Les Rouges. However, the USA’s roster eclipses them with stars like Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah. The Stars and Stripes have the home advantage and a stronger roster and that will see them through here.
Mikey Varas had a successful stint with the USA Under 20s side before being called upon for the senior team as Berhalter’s assistant. The former FC Dallas Academy manager studied soccer in Argentina, Spain and Italy before returning to the US to coach. His experience with younger players bodes well for a roster with an average age of 23.
Canada may be underdogs in a betting sense, but they are not to be underestimated. Jesse Marsch’s team was impressive at Copa America and their third-place finish was a roaring success. His preference for a high line and intense press has received praise from fans and pundits alike. The former RB Leipzig coach has allowed the likes of Alphonso Davies and Richie Laryea to shine further up the pitch than they play for their clubs. Les Rouges are a genuine threat to this managerless USA team and the Stars and Stripes will not walk over their rivals on Saturday.
USA vs Canada Betting Tips
We are predicting a win for the USA in this match. They are worth -105 with our online sportsbook. The Stars and Stripes are playing on home soil and probably have the better squad. However, we don’t think there is great value in this bet. The USA is coming off a poor showing in a competition they were expected to impress in. They have no head coach, and their interim leader has never led a senior team. There is too much at play to justify backing the USA at odds-on. Instead, we like a Tie No Bet wager on Canada, worth +170.
Christian Pulisic is the player to watch for the USA. The AC Milan winger was one of the few shining lights from that poor Copa America campaign. He has two goal involvements in three games for Milan this season and is a frequent attacking threat for the USA. Soccer betting will fancy the forward to have a few cracks at goal in this game. Bet on Pulisic to have two or more shots on target.
Both teams have scored in two of the last three games played in the US between these sides. Canada showed their attacking prowess in their penalty loss to Uruguay. They scored twice in normal time against a stronger defence than they will face on Saturday. We like a bet on both teams to score, worth -122 with our online sportsbook.
Live betting is also an option for this game. This is probably going to be a tight contest with not much between both teams. Canada is a plus-money underdog for this game and there is a chance they can steal a win. It may be beneficial to wait for the game to start and analyze the team before placing a moneyline wager.
USA Team News
FC Barcelona’s Diego Kochen and Standard Liege defender Marlon Fossey received their first call-ups for the USA. They could make their debut against Canada. However, we expect the more experimental lineups to be saved for their second friendly against New Zealand with this game more of a rivalry than a friendly. We expect Folarin Balogun to retain his place as centre forward after he scored two goals in three games at Copa America. Ricardo Pepi could push the Monaco striker, having scored once already in the Eredivisie this season.
- Predicted lineup: Turner, Scally, Richards, Carter-Vickers, Robinson, McKennie, Adams, Musah, Pulisic, Aaronson Balogun.
Canada Team News
Canadian-Croatian right back Niko Sigur declared for Canada recently through a FIFA-approved one-time switch and makes his debut in the Canucks camp. He plays for the Croatian side Hajduk Split. Sporting Kansas City forward, Stephen Afrifa, also received his first call-up on the back of a breakout season in the MLS. We do not expect wide-scale changes to Jesse Marsch’s side for this fixture, however. Alphonso Davies has gone back and forth between left-back and left-wing in recent fixtures. We expect him to go forward once again with Laryea filling in at left-back.
- Predicted lineup: S. Clair, Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea, Kone, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg, David, Davies, Larin.
