GANGUE-RUZIC: If Canada is going to beat the U.S... here's how they'll do it
The moment that the CanMNT has long been waiting for is finally here - the chance to play for a trophy.
For the first time since 2000, Canada will play in a final on Sunday, as they take on the US in the Concacaf Nations League finals down in Las Vegas.
There, Canada is looking to snap a 23-year trophy drought, while looking to dethrone the US as current Kings of Concacaf.
And no better way to do so than with a game of this magnitude against their neighbours and longtime rivals. Having never played the US in a final in the men’s game, this is a historic opportunity for Canada, who will get a chance to silence a hostile pro-US environment while doing so.
If they’re to do that, however, it’ll require a big performance, as not only is this US team far more experienced in big games, but they’re a deeper side than anyone else in Concacaf. With a squad filled with tier-one players, and the current holders of the Nations League and Gold Cup, they’ve really started to take a stranglehold on Concacaf in recent years as Mexico has hit a bit of a rut.
Really, the only team to threaten that over the last few years? Canada, who even got four points off the US in World Cup qualifying, which they then topped in the end.
Therefore, they’ll now look to conjure up something similar in this match, allowing them to win that trophy, a long-stated goal of theirs.
Before then, however, here’s a look at what to expect from the US in this game, as well as how Canada might counter that, in our scouting report.
US remains in turbulent state post-World Cup
It’s been a wild eight months for US fans.
Especially after what was a solid World Cup from them, as they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Netherlands after missing out altogether on the 2018 World Cup, it felt like they were heading in the right direction as they got set for 2026.
Since then, however, they’ve faced nothing but turbulence. From the battle between head coach Gregg Berhalter and player Gio Reyna at the World Cup that ended with blackmail and an investigation into Berhalter, an overhaul at the executive level, a global search for a new coach that finished with Berhalter returning this week, and more, it’s been a wild ride for US fans the last few months.
Having had as many head coaches as they’ve played competitive games (sorry to the Continental Clásico), it’s taken the attention away from the exciting potential of this team.
Gregg Berhalter has been chosen to lead the #USMNT to the 2026 FIFA World Cup » https://t.co/ObcP1tCbvH pic.twitter.com/c85nwVS9to
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 16, 2023
Now, though, they’ve got a chance to put that all behind them, as they really start to focus on the 2026 World Cup cycle, where as co-hosts, the pressure is on for them to do well.
No better way to start that than by winning a final at home, in what should be a strong pro-US crowd, to get things back on track.
Through that, they’ll then look to use that as a springboard for what’s next. Eager to compete at the 2024 Copa América, they’ll enter that tournament filled with optimism, and why not?
Thanks to an exodus of players to Europe in recent years, they’re a team that’s loaded at several positions, especially relative to the rest of Concacaf.
Just in this camp alone, they’ve got 13 players who played for teams in top-five European leagues last season, and that’s despite missing other key regulars such as Tyler Adams and Tim Ream. For context, Canada has just four of them in their squad for this camp, with only three of them (Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin) having actually played a game in those leagues this season.
Plus, the US are quite a balanced team, too.
Defensively, they’ve got a lot of tier-one pieces, led by Matt Turner in goal, along with defenders Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest and Joe Scally.
Then, they’re similarly well off higher up the pitch, led by Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Luca de la Torre and Gio Reyna in midfield, and Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Timothy Weah and their newest recruit, Folarin Balogun.
Folarin Balogun 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 against Mexico to make his USMNT debut 🫡 pic.twitter.com/U2ln1lA5QV
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 16, 2023
Balogun, in particular, is a fascinating one - he just scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 for Stade De Reims on loan from Arsenal, and only recently committed to the US after representing England for much of his youth career (except for a four-game stint with the US’s U18s).
Plus, more importantly, he’s the missing puzzle piece this team needed, as they already had tier-one players in every position of the field except at striker, making Balogun’s addition a perfect one for what they needed. Given that finishing was something that they were missing at the World Cup, he fills that hole immediately.
Not only that, but he doesn’t enter this system needing to be the guy, either - this team is clearly Pulisic’s, who is the only American to have ever won the UEFA Champions League, supported by the likes of McKennie, Adams, Musah, Reyna, Weah and Antonee Robinson.
And what’s scariest about all that? Of those names that were just mentioned between Balogun, Pulisic and that supporting cast, none of them are older than 25, showing that this is a core group that has only recently come together over the last few years.
Because of that, they’ve still got a lot of growth to come from them, too.
Given what they showed at the World Cup, one can only imagine what the ceiling is for this team, who could very well dominate Concacaf for a long time, and one day push to the top four at a World Cup.
Luckily, for Canada, though, they’ll be pleased to know that while they’re not doing so on a similar scale to the US (who to be fair, has an immense qualitative advantage with the size of their population), they too are crafting an intriguing young generation of players of their own, too.
More and more Canadians and Americans are sharing the field in top games in top leagues, which could now lead to this rivalry becoming one to watch once again in Concacaf.
After the US dominated Canada for over three decades, remaining undefeated from 1986 to 2019, the tide is shifting, as seen by the fact that each team has won two and drawn one of their last five competitive meetings between each other.
Because of that, it’s why this final is so fascinating, as it could be exactly what this rivalry needs to get it to that next level, proving as a key ignition in that regard.
Atiba Hutchinson on #CanMNT's progress:
— Canadian Soccer Daily (@CANSoccerDaily) June 17, 2023
"I didn’t think this time would come when we have so much talent in the squad. I thought this would be years from now… The sky’s the limit. We’re playing for a trophy & we believe this is a turning point. This is the new standard for us."
Berhalter’s identity remains clear for US
Tactically, this should be quite the fascinating matchup, too.
Two teams that like to play on the front foot, it’ll be intriguing to see who ends up trying to control the initiative in this game, and who sits back.
But while Canada is a lot more flexible tactically, able to play in different set-ups, the US is far more rigid in how they play.
Other than a few experiments with back threes over the years, this US team has exclusively played with a 4-3-3 over the last few years, one where they’re clear with how they want to play.
On the ball, they’re a team that tries to play patiently in possession but is also comfortable playing vertically, both in terms of long balls and play through the middle.
As a result, they often tried to build up in a 2-5-3, or a 3-4-3, with the goal being to create numerical superiorities out wide, and to then open up space in the middle.
From there, they love to either score from cutbacks, or from direct through balls down the middle of the pitch, with the former being the option they turn to more often.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC MAKES IT DOS A CERO. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JBvmCz4wxn
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
SERGINO DEST FINDS RICARDO PEPI. 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
Pepi makes an instant impact FOUR minutes off the bench. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fBsuGInWxB
Those attacking philosophies were on full display in the US’s win over Mexico, too. Despite Berhalter not being on the bench, as he was only re-hired after the game, interim head coach B.J. Callaghan did a good job of emulating Berhalter’s tactics in the performance.
Then, off the ball, the US usually tries to defend in a rather organized 4-5-1, with the goal being to limit space in midfield.
Plus, they’re quite adaptable in midfield, too, doing so based on the opponent. Despite usually using a triangle that has a #6 under two #8s, they flipped that on several occasions against Mexico, using their #6, which in that game was Yunus Musah, to close down space on Edson Álvarez in midfield, like so.
Knowing Álvarez’s capabilities on the ball given that he plays for Ajax, the US did their best to try and limit his influence on the ball, forcing him to play safer than he’d have liked.
Other than that, however, the US remained rather committed to their usual defensive shape, doing well to frustrate Mexico off the ball, limiting them to just five shots and 0.18 xG in that game.
Yet, while the US’s defence has usually been quite solid, there are a few holes in their defensive play.
First, they struggle with wide balls, which was shown when Mexico nearly grabbed an early lead with a dangerous cross.
Then, they are also prone to get hit in transition, especially in wide areas, as their full backs are asked to push up in possession, leaving them to do a lot of running when they get back, with this below still being an example of that.
Canada has seen that firsthand, too, as their first goal in a 2-0 win in Hamilton came from a turnover in midfield, one where Canada did well to capitalize on the space the US left with some great vertical play.
All-in-all, however, this is a pretty solid US team, especially when you factor in the individual talent that they have, which often manifests itself in moments where Pulisic, Reyna and Weah find space in between lines and behind defenders, with Pulisic being an especially big danger in that regard.
The good news for Canada? It’s worth noting that the US will actually be missing some key pieces to their system in this game, which could have an impact on how they play.
Already missing Adams in midfield due to injury, McKennie is now suspended for this game after picking up a red card against Mexico, which will hurt the US’s ability to control the middle.
Then, at full back, Dest is also suspended after a red card later in the game,which is a big blow for the US in possession. Defensively, it might actually be a bit of a loss for Canada, as Dest does have his defensive deficiencies, but Canada will be relieved about the loss of his offensive threat.
Other than that, though, the US is relatively full strength, and will look to try and build off what they showed in that Mexico performance.
How might Canada line up?
Because of that, it’ll be intriguing to see how Canada lines up for this one.
On one hand, they’ll need to be wary of what the US can do on the ball, but they’ll also have to find ways to exploit the US’s weaknesses off of it.
For the former, Alistair Johnston and Stephen Eustáquio are going to be key, in particular.
Given that he’ll likely start at right centre back, Johnston will be tasked with marking Pulisic 1v1 when he’s on and off the ball, making sure that he doesn’t get any free chances. It’s a role that Johnston is familiar with, as he kept Pulisic rather quiet in their last meeting in that Hamilton win, but it’s still a tough assignment for anyone.
Then, Eustáquio is going to have to be diligent defensively in midfield, making sure that Reyna doesn’t get free between the lines. He’ll also have to be wary of Balogun dropping in, and likely midfield starter de la Torre making late runs, but Reyna’s the biggest worry in that regard given how creative he is.
🎼 Ode to Gio 🎶 pic.twitter.com/2IAvc5u1ay
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2022
If Eustáquio can do that, however, it’ll give his team a big advantage in midfield, especially given the US’s absences.
Speaking of, that’s why it’s likely Canada sticks with a 3-5-2 in this game, as it’s imperative that they dominate the middle of the park, especially now with no Adams or McKennie for the US.
A potential midfield of Musah, de la Torre and Reyna is no joke, especially on the ball, but it’s a very attacking set-up.
Therefore, it could make sense for Canada to go for a midfield trio of Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné and Jonathan Osorio, with Eustáquio sitting underneath the pair. From there, Osorio will be tasked to stretch the US midfield with his movement and ability to play between lines, while Koné will try to destabilize them with his ability to progress the ball with his passing and dribbling, taking advantage of that space Osorio will free up between the lines.
With Eustáquio orchestrating play underneath that, it would give a big advantage to Canada in that area, especially on the ball.
Then, up front, Canada will need their strikers to be ready to play in transition, but also be available to get on the end of crosses, both in the air and on the ground, if need be. Because of that, look for Jonathan David and Cyle Larin to keep playing together, as they’re comfortable playing in transition (just look at how the pair linked up for that first goal in Hamilton), but also in the box.
GOAL 🍁
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) January 30, 2022
CYLE LARIN. GOAL NUMBER 23. #CANMNT UP 1-0 OVER THE #USMNT at the 7-minute mark
🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/gDkF8XJfMO
Lastly, that’ll leave Alphonso Davies and Richie Laryea as the likely starting wing backs, with Davies on the left and Laryea on the right.
The inclusion of Davies is straightforward - he looks to now be in full health and will look to dominate the left side on both sides of the ball in what is probably his best position at wing back, but the Laryea one could be a bit of a surprise given that Canada also has Tajon Buchanan as a potential right wing back option.
But with Pulisic playing on the left for the US, Laryea would give a bit more defensive stability to help out Johnston if needed, while also having the ability to cause problems going forward, especially with how aggressively Antonee Robinson plays at left back for the US.
Along with the edge that Laryea brings to a game, it’d make him a perfect inclusion for a final, which is only fair given how strong he was for Canada against Panama.
Therefore, with all of that in mind, here’s how that would all look, for both sides.
It’s not going to be easy for Canada, no doubt, but they know how this US team plays, and will look to exploit that.
If they can do that, it’d be key, especially in a final, where it’ll come down to the small details. Especially given that both teams have lots of experience in these games, which could lead them to play a bit more cautiously, the team that gets a tactical edge could gain a big advantage in a matchup like that.
For Canada, they’ll look to make sure it’s them, which would then allow their game-breaking stars to take over, much as they did against Panama, as they look to win that first trophy in 23 years in style on Sunday.
