The much-anticipated rematch between the US and Canada has been cast into doubt as Canada faced an unexpected exit from the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They were eliminated in a tense penalty shootout against Guatemala, following a 1-1 tie. Despite being considered one of the top contenders for the tournament alongside the US and Mexico, Canada was set to meet the US in the semi-finals. Canadian coach Jesse Marsch noted the significant absences on his team, emphasizing that half of his squad was unavailable, though he insisted it shouldn’t serve as an excuse.
Earlier in the tournament, Marsch had alluded to a key player from the US men’s team not participating in the Gold Cup. He clarified that there was no single conversation that led to this decision, saying, "It’s not even close to that conversation." A major absence for Canada is Alphonso Davies, regarded as one of the world’s top left-backs, who suffered a torn right ACL during the CONCACAF Nations League back in March.
Looking ahead, Canada is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the US and Mexico next summer.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the unpredictable nature of tournaments and the impact of player absences on team performance. The potential face-off between the US and Canada promises to be a thrilling match, and fans will be eager to see how these teams develop leading up to the World Cup.
