The United States Men’s National Team end their stay in Carson, California as they face Canada in a friendly before focusing on World Cup Qualifiers, coming up next month.
After coming off a dramatic 3-2 win over IcelandUSMNT should, the United States will make two changes to the now 24-man roster as defenders Brad Evans and Michael Orozco will be released back to their clubs. Evans said he suffered tightness on his hamstring and was sent back to train in preseason with Seattle Sounders. Orozco went back to Club Tijuana as the club had an agreement to only have Orozco play for one game.
Meanwhile, Canada has not played a competitive senior level game since November of last year, when they played to a draw against El Salvador in World Cup Qualifying. The Canadian squad will feature many MLS standouts such as former MLS Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas) and current ROY Cyle Larin (Orlando City).
The Canadian squad is complimented by of players that play overseas such as Issey Nakajima-Farran (Terengganu FA [Malasia]), Jamar Dixon (FF Jaro[Finland]) and defender Doneil Henry (currently on loan with Blackburn Rovers).
It will be interesting to see how Canada plays as they do not have the chemistry that the USMNT has, as this group that Jürgen Klinsmann put together has at least one game to get chemistry flowing. Look for the U.S. to attack early to try and catch Canada flat-footed and to find a way to get early chances on the Canadian backline.
As for individual performers look for Lee Nguyen, who has really been impressing as of late, to lead the charge as Klinsmann liked his style of play as of late. Nguyen really looked inspired playing left midfield but was moved higher for the later half of the game against Iceland. He did an excellent job of getting in between the Icelandic defenders and their midfield. Look for Nguyen to try and repeat his performance against the Canadian team.
Julian De Guzman, the captain of the Canadian team, will be key in this matchup as his veteran presence in midfield will have to inspire the young players that are coming to this Canadian squad. Those young players include Sam Adekugbe, Marco Bustos, and Kiang Froese; all products of Vancouver’s residency program. Look for the young Whitecaps players to make an impact as they try and break into the national team picture for Canada.
Canada will try and nab their first victory against the United States since May 5, 1990 where the Canadians beat the United States by a score of 1-0 in a CONCACAF Nations Cup game. Since then they have gone 11 games, losing six straight at one point, without a win against their southern neighbors.
