USA – Canada

USA unlikely to keep a clean sheet against Canada

The USA will face Canada in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday night, July 10. The clash was expected to take place at a later stage of the tournament, but the Canadians were unpleasantly surprising in the group stage. Canada are playing without their main stars, as is the USA. The Maple Leafs have a lot of young players in the squad, or those who have been on the long-term reserve list. Some don't even have clubs at the moment. At the same time, the Canadians got a very easy group from which they had no guarantee of getting out until the second half of the third game. Canada conceded two goals from Guadeloupe, further failing to hit the Guatemalan goal. Even Cuba created some difficulties, scoring two goals. "The Maple Leafs clearly lack balance and individual skill. The attacking side still manage to create chances due to the difference in class, but defence remains an obvious vulnerability. The most important loss is goalkeeper Borjan. One of the national team's symbols was also given a rest, which immediately affected the entire defense. The 26-year-old St. Clair is now Canada's primary goalkeeper, although the goalkeeper previously played in only three games for the national team. In terms of advanced statistics, Canada did not even have an overwhelming advantage over Cuba in the group stage. The national team plays in a very open manner. No five-back scheme is used in the tournament. The Americans also play without their main stars. The backbone is made up of players from the MLS. Almost all the internationals have had a chance to rest after a busy season in Europe. The USA won the Nations League and let the leaders go. The exception is goalkeeper Turner. The USA also had problems in the tournament. The Americans had a torrid time against Jamaica. They narrowly escaped a draw in the closing stages. Then came two not very representative matches against clear underdogs. The USA thrashed St Kitts and Nevis. Trinidad and Tobago were not spared. The opponents got a combined total of twelve goals. The attack caught their nerve, but the play-offs will be contested by opponents of a different level. Canada and the USA had previously met in the final of the Nations League. The Americans won 2-0, but there were other players on the pitch. Now, the game is shaping up to be an attacking, open encounter. Both teams are without a set-piece. It's logical to expect simple mistakes as well, as there are no European stars. The Americans have scored 13 goals in the group stage, while Canada have six. There should be plenty of chances. The youth factor is also important. It might be a game quite different from the playoff battles.