Canada Beats USA to Claim Concacaf Nations League Third Place as USMNT Faces Crisis

By Dieudonne Tebit | March 24, 2025

Canada defeated the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) 2-1 in the Concacaf Nations League third-place playoff at SoFi Stadium, a result that not only secured a podium finish for the Canadians but also raised alarm bells for the U.S. program just over a year before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It was a match full of significance for both sides. For Canada, it marked their first consecutive victories over the U.S. since 1985, a clear sign of their upward trajectory in North American soccer. For the USMNT, however, the result capped off a disappointing tournament campaign and underscored ongoing concerns about their form and identity under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The game started with early adversity for Canada as star man Alphonso Davies was forced off through injury just 12 minutes in. But the setback didn’t deter them. Canada opened the scoring through Tani Oluwaseyi, who capitalized on disorganized U.S. defending. The U.S. equalized courtesy of Patrick Agyemang, assisted by Diego Luna, but the Canadian response was swift and decisive. Jonathan David struck in the 59th minute to restore the lead a goal that proved to be the match-winner.

Adding to the U.S.’s frustrations, coach Mauricio Pochettino was shown a red card for his protests against the officiating — a symbol of the broader emotional volatility surrounding the team right now.

The loss followed a semifinal exit at the hands of Panama and completes a winless Nations League campaign for the USMNT. With just 15 months until the U.S. co-hosts the 2026 World Cup, the pressure is mounting. The U.S. not only failed to make the final but also dropped below Canada and Panama in the final standings a damning indictment of where they currently stand in the regional pecking order.

Speaking after the match, Pochettino remained composed and defiant, insisting there was still time to get things right before the World Cup. “We know the expectations. The quality is there. But these results are a message: we need to work harder and come together,” he said.

The upcoming friendlies in June against Turkey and Switzerland, followed by the Concacaf Gold Cup starting June 16, will be crucial opportunities for the USMNT to reset and rediscover momentum. But beyond tactics and formations, the U.S. will need to rebuild confidence, discipline, and unity the very foundations of any successful World Cup campaign.

Canada, on the other hand, can look ahead with optimism. Their consistent performances, depth, and mentality under pressure suggest they’re no longer outsiders, but genuine regional contenders with an eye on global progression.

The U.S. now stands at a pivotal moment a crossroads between potential and reality, ambition and execution. The countdown to 2026 continues, but the room for error is quickly disappearing.