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Analysis: Canada Make History by Defeating the US 2-1 on American Soil for the First Time Since 1957
By It’s been a long time coming.
On Saturday, the Canadian Men’s National Team defeated the USMNT 2-1 in Kansas City, marking their first victory on US soil since 1957.
This historic victory marks a continued trend under Jesse Marsch, as Canada defy the odds once more and prove their mettle in this new era of Canadian Men’s soccer.
High Press Brings High Rewards
It was an expected formation from Jesse Marsch, as he continued his love for the 4-2-2-2 in this match against the US. Some surprising names were listed in the starting eleven, but for the most part, the game plan was the same from Canada – and it worked like a treat.
The US tried to build out from the back for much of this game, but Canada were ready for it. They’re ‘gung-ho’, cavalier approach allowed them to put a lot of pressure on the Americans, forcing them to go back or try to force a pass high. Canada’s high line made it so that the space was truncated, and when the US tried to go long, Canada had the advantage of having some of the quickest players on the pitch (and maybe in the world) in Moise Bombito and Alphonso Davies.
The US threatened at times with those long balls in behind, but the defence did just enough to quell the danger as Bombito and Derek Cornelius locked up the back-line. That bred confidence for both the attack and midfield to be even more adventurous with their pressing, and in the end it was that relentless drive to make the US uncomfortable that led to the two goals. Both were forced turnovers, and both were excellently executed to bring about goals. Canada embodied that all-action, high-octane Energizer Bunny football that Marsch and the Red Bull philosophy embody. They fought for every yard, battled for every duel and never stopped running for close to the entirety of the game.
It was expected that the legs would start to give out towards the end, but the subsitutes that came on did not let the level drop and fought just as hard as the starts did to try to secure the victory. While much of the media attention will be on the goals and the fact that the US had some stars missing, the effort and dedication from the entire team cannot go understated. They executed their game plan well and deserved the victory.
The ‘Kids’ Are Alright
Given that this match was Canada’s first match since their excellent Copa America run and that it came against bitter rivals in the US, it was clear that Jesse Marsch was going to pick a strong team to field. Marsch’s eleven blended a mix of experience and leadership but also fresh blood, as he chose Copa’s hero Jacob Shaffelburg, starlet Ali Ahmed. and the newly European-settled Mathieu Choiniere to start. That trust by Marsch in those three paid dividends.
Shaffelburg became the hero once more, opening the scoreline after Canada won the ball back up high. The Maritime-born winger then celebrated by running to and silencing the crowd. Choiniere could have – and arguably should have – gotten an assist later in the first half as he sent Cyle Larin in behind after intercepting another US pass up the pitch. Regardless, the former-CF Montreal man made good on his rare start, being a focal point in the press in the central areas, as well as becoming a creative cog in the Canadian attack. His diving tackles when Canada lost possession only further highlighted the intensity and commitment that the player upholds.
Ahmed, to his credit, might not have had the flashiest of matches but was just as hard-working and as sharp as his compatriots on the pitch. The Whitecaps man was constantly running at his defender, pinning the defence back and being an overall nuisance for the Americans. Even the subsitutes of Tani Oluwaseyi, Joel Waterman, Stephen Afrifa, and Nathan Saliba were successes, as they came on an made an impact, helping see out this famous victory.
More than just the historical victory, this win showcases that Canada are continuing that upward trajectory that begun earlier this year when Marsch came in. These players are not only ready to step up when needed, but they’re hungry for the chance. It only bodes well as Canada come ever closer to hosting the 2026 World Cup, as they look to make even more history when the world is at their doorstep.
Header Image Photo Credit: Canada Soccer
