Yank here. Some comments. The USA didn't prepare for the 4-4-2 mid block press, or if we did prepare we didn't prepare very well. Props to Canada and Jesse, but either way, it's an indictment of our players and/or the coaching staff, or both. Jesse Marsch and his team, better to be known now as Red Bull Canada, were going to play the way they were going to play and there would be ZERO mystery about their approach. But the USA simply weren't up to dealing with it, at least with this group. Would our better mids have done better?? McKinney? Reyna? (who we really missed). Maybe, but if your don't prepare, or prepare well, you will lose to the Red Bull approach unless your players are VASTLY technically superior. You guys raised the issue of whether the system can work at club level? The answer is yes, but you need squad depth, a strong defense, and good finishing skill from your forward players, though the system will never win in a top 5 league. To win those leagues it's about having great players at EVERY position first. Will Canada with its current group beat, say, Spain with the Red Bull system? Very doubtful. But you can make it interesting!! In fact, the system will work from time to time against better teams -- remember, Leeds under Marsch beat Liverpool away!! Jesse Marsch gets a lot of crap about his tactical approach, but everywhere he coaches, he conveys his plans with clarity and his players bust their a$$es for him. He inspires them. His ability to spot talent is exceptional--Ahmed is the classic example. He's going after the dual nationals and bringing them into fold. He should have never been fired from Leeds, and had he won the game at Forest that spelled his doom, he might have stayed on. But English fans LOVE to get coaches fired, and Yorkshire fans are particularly nasty and schizophrenic and, were all smug with their Ted Lasso jokes, but frankly, I cheered when they went down with their coaches with Euro accents and I hope those suckers stay down. Those stupidly fickle and obnoxious fans deserve it. That said, the system IS demanding, and as COPA demonstrated, fatigue can be the victor. If the Canadian squad stays healthy and fit going into the World Cup, it will be a force to be reckoned with. One final thought. Is there any doubt that Alphonso Davies is the best player in Concacaf?? The USA squad has no one as good as him, and that includes Pulisic. The eye test sometimes lies, but with him, the eye test forces you to open wide, with the jaw drop inevitable. "Dynamic" is an understatement. Carrying, recovery runs, tackling ability, you name it, he is on another level. No one player makes all the difference, but Davies HAS to be healthy and fit for your guys going into 2026.
But does US soccer ever have challenges convincing "dual nationals" who were actually born and raised in the US to represent the US. We are plagued with that level of uncertainty with our born and bread Canadian players which I simply cant understand how some of these kids dont have the pride to rep Canada engrained in their DNA.
@@jaytse2269 Players typically go to the best national team they can play for. Antonee Robinson or Balogun have zero chance to get England senior caps, so they are with us. Weah could have played for France, Jamaica, or LIberia. But it was an easy choice to pick the US since he would definitely be a A teamer and he really is American. Is it any surprise that up till now, Canada has had problems recruiting? Will NIco Sigur ever make the Croatian national team? The odds are long, and he has probably waited to see how Canada will shape up. The decision will be easy for him now, I think. Few players get to go ONE World Cup, never mind get a sniff of the field, and never mind more than one World Cup. Patriotism is all well and good, but if you have options, take 'em if they make sense. Some situations are unique and getting cap tied for players s big decision, espcially if they are further down the list of a roster.
Unless they get a really tough bracket in 2026, Canada will make it to at least the R16 and quite possibly the QFs. This team is going to continue to grow and in two years their young players are going to be studs.
I'm a neutral, im English, Canada showed up to play the other night, and the US didnt, I think the US overall has a slightly more talented side (it is only slight, Canada has imo 2 of the 3 best CONCACAF players, Davies is the best player in the region, and David is its best striker) the other night demonstrated the old saying "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard" watching as an outsiders (I've got a few American and Canadian friends who've got me watching CONCACAF) how far both of you have come has been great to watch, at the moment the US seem to have this air of arrogance and complacency about them, Canada doesn't, the Canadians seem to want to put the hard work in (I like the term "Maplepressing" by the way 😂) the big test for you guys now is win a trophy, like I said talent wise we're talking a slight difference overall, if the players continue to work hard and stay confident there's no reason that Canada can't win trophies
@rogerc23 I think that's fair, Canada has the best player in CONCACAF in Alphonso Davies (always one of my first career mode signings on FIFA/EA FC 🤣) Jon David is the best striker in CONCACAF, I really like Eustaquio and Tajon too, Kone isnt the finished article yet, but has unbelievable potential, Canada have built a pretty damn decent team and I hope it continues
canada team actually took it down a notch from salzburg or leipzig level of intensity. Maybe because marsch felt he doesnt have the players. They were setting traps and set out with mid-high block waiting for mistakes, instead of going after the other team like salzburg leipzig or klopp liverpool.
You are correct. Marsch seems to be learning how to adapt tactics to suit the players and opponents. Hopefully everyone improves, except the opponents.
Didn't care for the disrespectful language from Jimmy Brennan. I'm sure there is a way to professionally share analyses in a podcast. I listen to some of the American podcasts as well like "Call It What You Want", and they've never been this kind of dark disrespectful. Be edgy, fine, it's competitive. But stay classy.
😂 USA going to be on top soon just give them time again you guys have a coach and have time with him and watch and see who is Canada we are top in every sport
There are definitely some who claim the US lost because they played poorly, not because Canada played well, but some also praise Canada and were very impressed.
US fan here. I completely agree with all of you. Canada ARE the kings of CONCACAF atm. They deserved the win in Kansas City, no question. Now while CanMNT are a better team than the USMNT, please remember the USMNT is not that far behind as Jimmy Brennan seems to suggest. On any given day the USMNT is more than capable of pulling a win against Canada. Congrats on the copa run and the well-deserved win in Kansas City. We’ll see you all in the Nations League.
Anyone who actually watched the game will recognize the scoreline flattered the home team, but one must say that the Americans were missing more top players than the Canadians were and do not yet have their new head coach in place.
