After a 2-2 draw, the United States got past Canada in the 2023 Gold Cup quarterfinals on penalties, with Matt Turner saving two efforts in the shootout.
It was one of the wackiest, sloppiest, messiest matches you will ever see, even by CONCACAF standards. There were so many unique and wild moments, and all four goals in the match were scored after the 87th minute.
It appeared that Brandon Vazquez had provided another huge late goal with his opener just two minutes from the end of regulation, but Canada capitalized on a Miles Robinson handball three minutes into stoppage time as Steven Vitoria leveled the score from the spot to push the match into extra time.
Each team got a goal late in extra time, with Jacob Shaffelburg coming off the bench and putting Canada in front, only to see that wasted minutes later on a Scott Kennedy own goal.
In the penalty shootout, Turner stood tall as he has so many times before, and after Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio, and Jesus Ferreira put away their efforts for the USMNT, Charles-Andreas Brym put his hit off the crossbar to seal it for the United States.
The match began with a wacky injury to an assistant referee in the opening minute which resulted in a 10 minute delay, and that was a harbinger of what would come through the entire 120+ minutes, as neither side impressed for long stretches. The match also featured two VAR reviews for handball on the same player, with the first not given but the second given.
The United States advances to play Panama in the semifinals in less than 72 hours, which is a tall task after such a taxing affair. The semifinal match will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday from Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
The Sporting News followed the USA vs Canada match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
MORE: Complete 2023 Gold Cup bracket through to the final
USA vs Canada final score
Score (ET) | Goal scorers | |
USA | 2 | Vazquez (88'), Kennedy (OG, 115') |
Canada | 2 | Vitoria (90+3'), Shaffelburg (108') |
PENALTY SHOOTOUT:
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | |
Canada | X | X | O | O | X |
USA | X | O | O | O | — |
Starting lineups:
USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 5. Reynolds (Roldan, 113'), 20. Neal (Miazga, 73'), 12. M. Robinson (Long, 91'), 15. D. Jones – 14. Mihailovic (Vazquez, 73'), 8. Sands, 6. Busio — 17. Zendejas (Cowell, 62'), 9. Ferreira, 22. Gressel (Morris, 91').
Canada (3-5-2, right to left): 1. St. Clair (GK) — 4. Miller, 5. Vitoria, 15. McGraw (Kennedy, 91') — 22. Laryea, 11. Millar, 14. Bombito (Fraser, 60'), 21. Osorio, 20. Ahmed (Wotherspoon, 73') — 10. Hoilett (Brym, 85'), 9. Cavallini (Russell-Rowe, 73').
USA vs Canada post-match analysis
The U.S. performance was not pretty, but it doesn't need to be
USMNT fans should remind themselves that the squad deployed for the Gold Cup is a third-choice group, with the first two levels of the depth chart utilized in the Nations League and sent out for vacation.
This squad should absolutely be beating an equally fringe Canada squad, who did not play well in the group stage, but in all honesty...who cares? There are some young players putting in a shift, and making a name for themselves, but overall, most of these players are buried on the depth chart.
Individual performances and experience gained in this tournament is far more important than the result itself. It's great to win, and the squad put in a heck of a shift today, but if they flop again in the semifinals and find their way out, not much at all is lost.
Brandon Vazquez looms large again as super-sub
Despite the sloppy performance, a number of U.S. players stood out with positive performances, but none were bigger than striker Brandon Vazquez, who became the first player in Gold Cup history to score three goals in a single tournament off the bench.
His 88th minute opener was massive, even if it was cancelled out minutes later by the Steven Vitoria penalty. Vazquez is stuck behind Jesus Ferreira, who has been excellent this entire tournament, even today despite not scoring, but he's played his role off the bench brilliantly.
Other individuals who impressed include James Sands, who was tenacious in the No. 6 role again, and Cade Cowell, who again brought a spark off the bench, even if the skill set is still raw. Plus, it has to be noted that Matt Turner, serving as captain, was exceptional in the penalty shootout after not having much to do during regulation.
BJ: "We constantly talk about players needing to step up and make big plays, and tonight was an example of that." He calls out Brandon Vazquez, Jordan Morris, and Matt Turner as individuals who stepped up for the #USMNT
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 10, 2023
John Herdman may wish to check himself after more comments backfire
Canada head coach said that he had learned from his mistakes after pre-match comments about Croatia in the World Cup resulted in a 4-1 victory for the European side.
Yet he did it again, and again they came back to bite him. He told the media after the group stage that they "took their foot off the pedal" against Cuba in the final group stage match so they could ensure a game against the United States, but it served to provide more bulletin board material for the opponent.
Canada performed far better than many expected in the match, sure, but once again they fall short after he comes for the opposition before the game. It's probably not the best strategy to lean on moving forward until Canada prove they can come away from matches like this with a victory.
The full Herdman quote: "We could have pushed, but we took our foot off the gas because we were watching the score in the other game, and we were pretty clear coming into this match which team we wanted to play. The football gods have given us our derby match." #USMNT #CanMNT
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 9, 2023
USA vs Canada live updates, highlights, commentary
PENALTY SHOOTOUT: USA 3-2 Canada
Canada R5: Charles-Andreas Brym MISSES! He clanks it off the underside of the crossbar and out, and the United States advances to the semifinals!
USA R4: Jesus Ferreira SCORES! Wow, it's ALMOST saved by St. Clair, who guessed the right direction, and maybe even gets his fingertips to it, but the ball just sneaks by and inside the post.
Canada R4: Jacob Russel-Rowe SCORES! It's calm and cool, sending Turner the wrong way and sliding it into the net.
USA R3: Gianluca Busio steps up and SCORES! He does exactly what Miller does, smashing it into the top corner. No chance for St. Clair.
Canada R3: Kamal Miller SCORES! Matt Turner guesses correctly, but it's an absolute BLAST from Miller into the top corner, an unsavable hit.
USA R2: Cade Cowell SCORES! The first penalty of the shootout, right down the middle while Dayne St. Clair dives to his right!
Canada R2: Liam Frasier has his penalty is SAVED by Matt Turner! Nobody's made a spot-kick yet!
USA R1: Brandon Vazquez MISSES! He's sent the ball into the Cincinnati night sky! It's nowhere close!
Canada R1: After a long wait, Steven Vitoria finally gets the shootout started with a penalty that's SAVED! He goes right down the middle and Turner holds his ground for the save!
A penalty shootout will decide the second semifinal participant of the 2023 Gold Cup. Canada will take first, USA will take second.
The teams have been jawing at each other this entire time as the shootout gets started, as neither squad will budge despite the referees telling them to move back. Canada finally heeds the referee's orders, and then the U.S. follows.
END OF EXTRA TIME: USA 2-2 Canada
What an ELECTRIC match this has turned out to be! It's not pretty by any stretch, but it's been fun! All square, so penalties are en route.
113:54 - Scott Kennedy's own goal at 113:54 is the second-latest goal in @USMNT history (M. Robinson - 116:47 in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Final). Lifeline. pic.twitter.com/IyepsiVX53
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 10, 2023
USA vs Canada: Second half of extra time
119th min: Charles-Andreas Brym picks up a yellow card for fouling Cade Cowell in transition, but Canada fans and players are INCENSED that James Sands wasn't whistled down the other end for a push to force the turnover.
On the ensuing free-kick, Matt Miazga needlessly chops down Dayne St. Clair on the goalkeeper catch, and goes barreling through Richie Laryea on his way back to the defensive half, earning a yellow card.
118th min: Chance, USA! Brandon Vazquez meets a corner and nearly wins it for the United States! It goes just wide! This game has EXPLODED in extra time!
115th min: GOAL! USA! WHAT A WILD GAME, AND WE'RE LEVEL AGAIN! The sloppiest goal you will ever see, but the U.S. won't care!
Matt Miazga heads it into the mixer, and Jordan Morris knocks it down. Dayne St. Clair makes a wonderful kick-save off Gianluca Busio, but as the ball pings around it comes off a defender and back into the net for an own goal. Scott Kennedy is credited with the own-goal.
Watch in USA:
GIANLUCA BUSIO FINDS THE 2-2 LEVELER 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/21yPdDG9Pa
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
112th min: The United States is now up against a very low block as Canada looks to hold this lead for about 10 minutes. Cristian Roldan is set to come on for the United States, replacing Bryan Reynolds.
108th min: GOAL! CANADA! CANADA ARE IN FRONT, AND THE U.S. COULD BE OUT! Jacob Shaffelburg produces a wonderful solo goal, coming off the bench and providing a spark. He beats a weak challenge by Jesus Ferreira, and then finishes through the legs of Matt Miazga, taking a deflection off the defender's calf on the way through.
Watch in USA:
JACOB SHAFFELBURG GIVES CANADA THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/RqrxX13Mp5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Watch in Canada:
GOLAZO 🇨🇦 😭 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 10, 2023
NOVA SCOTIA, STAND UP FOR YOUR BOY ✨
IT'S JACOB SHAFFELBURG 😎#CANMNT 2-1 #USMNT
WHAT. A. GOAL. 💥 pic.twitter.com/P8OqvQe6oZ
107th min: Chance, USA! ANOTHER BIG STOP BY ST. CLAIR! This one's not as impressive as the last, but it's just as vital, as Gianluca Busio has acres of space to put the U.S. in front but smashes it right at the goalkeeper. Brandon Vazquez beat two defenders to win his header and lay it off for Busio, but the Canada shot-stopper is up to the task.
Kickoff: We're back under way after the brief stoppage. Canada is out of substitutions, and the United States has one remaining.
HALFTIME OF EXTRA TIME: USA 1-1 Canada
Those 15 minutes were far more exciting than anything we saw in regulation, as the teams went back and forth with chances on both ends, but still nobody has broken the deadlock. Cade Cowell and Jacob Shaffelburg have been really bright off the bench for their respective team, so can either one find the scoresheet?
This match in extra-time has turned into the Cade Cowell & Jacob Shaffelburg show. Which one will give their team the lead? #USMNT #CanMNT
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 10, 2023
USA vs Canada: First half of extra-time
104th min: Chance, USA! WHAT A SAVE DAYNE ST. CLAIR! WOW! Matt Miazga produces a wonderful flicked header while meeting a U.S. corner, but St. Clair is there to tip it over the crossbar with a brilliant, acrobatic stop. Has he won the starting goalkeeper job moving forward, with Milan Borjan nearing the latter stage of his career?
Watch in USA:
St. Clair with a spectacular save! 🇨🇦🧤 pic.twitter.com/K6GBkWfZVC
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
103rd min: The United States has a long spell of possession in the Canada penalty area, a wildly sloppy passage of play which sees the ball repeatedly pumped into dangerous positions in front of net, but Canada repel the numerous threats.
Cade Cowell then gets into a great position to shoot, cutting in on his right, but his effort is blocked by Steven Vitoria. This feels like the end of a boxing match.
99th min: Matt Miazga meets a Gianluca Busio delivery with his head, but he doesn't get any power on it and it's easy for Dayne St. Clair.
96th min: Cade Cowell picks up a very, very soft yellow card while lunging to meet a cross in front of net. There's nothing in that, and he doesn't really even make contact with the defender — at least not with his boot — but he gets booked. Very weird.
94 min: Chance, Canada! Whoa! Jacob Russell-Rowe comes very close to taking the lead for Canada, just redirecting the feed from the left over the crossbar. That was not far away! Canada looks to have its energy back.
Kickoff: We're under way with extra-time. The U.S. will need to dig deep to get their wind back after the late equalizer, while Canada looked energized after drawing level.
John Herdman uses his extra-time sub right off the bat, replacing Zac McGraw with Scott Kennedy, who fans may remember was shredded by the U.S. in the Nations League final, but that was the USMNT first-teamers. The U.S. have also made a pair of substitutions, as Jordan Morris and Aaron Long enter.
END OF REGULATION: USA 1-1 Canada
It felt like Brandon Vazquez had won the match for the United States, finally capitalizing on 15 minutes of overwhelming pressure, but a Miles Robinson handball gifts Canada an equalizer out of nothing.
This game does not deserve extra time, but here we are. Sometimes it be like that. Super-sub Brandon Vazquez has some Gold Cup history, which is pretty cool.
Brandon Vazquez is the first player in Gold Cup history to score 3 goals off the bench in a single tournament. #USMNT
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 10, 2023
USA vs Canada: Second Half
90+8 min: Canada has looked lively since they equalized, and Matt Miazga drags back a Canada winger, but somehow isn't booked for it.
90+3 min: GOAL! CANADA! We're level in stoppage time! Junior Hoilett, Canada's regular penalty taker, is not on the field, so it's center-back Steven Vitoria who steps up to take, and he buries it past Matt Turner, who can't make the save this time even though he picks the right direction.
Watch in USA:
WE'RE LEVEL!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Steven Vitória buries it for @CanadaSoccerEN from the spot 🇨🇦🎯 pic.twitter.com/TwJ6b67ycN
Watch in Canada:
OH CANADA OH BABY 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 10, 2023
Steven Vitoria gets the late equalizer from the penalty spot and it's 1-1 between the #CanMNT and the #USMNT in this Gold Cup QF 🏆
It's his 5th goal for Canada! pic.twitter.com/QFMDQBjHIg
90+1 min: Oh boy, we have another video review for handball, and again it involves Miles Robinson. This one is trouble for the United States, as Robinson extends his arm out and makes contact with the ball right on the chest of an opponent, just inches inside the penalty area.
The referee goes to the monitor, and decides to award a PENALTY TO CANADA! It's a fair call, the right call. It's very unlucky on Robinson, but he does make a move towards the ball with his arm and makes contact.
88th min: GOAL! USA! BRANDON VAZQUEZ DOES IT AGAIN! He got the late equalizer off the bench against Jamaica, and he may have cut down Canada as well with another very late goal! It comes off an absolutely brilliant feed from DeJuan Jones who sends it right on the doorstep from very deep, and Vazquez puts it away.
BJ Callaghan now pulls Jordan Morris back from his place on the touchline, and decides not to make the substitution.
Watch in USA:
BRANDON VAZQUEZZZZZZZ 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/a1u2P77XVw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
87th min: Chance, USA! Cade Cowell releases Gianluca Busio, and he delivers a pinpoint cross right to Julian Gressel at the far post. It's only the brave defending of Kamal Miller that thwarts the chance, as he does really well to beat Gressel to the headed chance.
BJ Callaghan is going to bring Jordan Morris onto the pitch shortly, likely for Julian Gressel. Morris has been injured, but worked his way back to fitness enough to make an appearance here.
85th min: Canada just cannot relieve the pressure. Julian Gressel does well to break up a counter-attack and keep the ball in the Canada half, and then Brandon Vazquez pressures Dayne St. Clair on the ball and forces a turnover out of play. The U.S. hasn't converted this pressure yet, but there's time to make it happen if it continues.
John Herdman makes his final changes, replacing Junior Hoilett with Charles-Andreas Brym, while Jacob Shaffelburg also comes on. Steven Vitoria takes the captain's armband from Hoilett.
79th min: Play is stopped so that Richie Laryea can receive treatment, and he is finally brought off the field after about two minutes of stoppage. There will be lots of added time again. Laryea is ok to continue eventually, but appears to be laboring.
Canada is under incredible pressure at the moment. It's been all U.S. since the Vazquez substitution.
75th min: Chance, USA! Brandon Vazquez nearly scores with his first touch of the match! Cade Cowell feeds him with his back to goal, and the FC Cincinnati striker knew he had to get rid of it quick, so he did, but put the volley just agonizingly wide right. That's not far off! Exactly the kind of injection the United States needed.
Watch in USA:
Cowell + Vazquez
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Just moments after both being subbed on, the duo applies heavy pressure for the @USMNT 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FYNdsio47H
73rd min: Brandon Vazquez enters for the United States, alongside his FC Cincinnati teammate Matt Miazga, and the TQL Stadium crowd erupts. They've been waiting for their guys to come on. Djordje Mihailovic is withdrawn, meaning Jesus Ferreira drops into a No. 10 role, something he did effectively against Trinidad & Tobago.
Canada counters with Jacen Russell-Rowe and David Wotherspoon to replace Lucas Cavallini and Ali Ahmed.
70th min: Cade Cowell makes a great, mazy run through midfield, which is exactly what he was brought on to do, but he takes the shot himself and gets it all wrong, sending it weakly wide. Just missing the final product!
68th min: Chance, USA! Another messy chance for the U.S. as Canada can't clear a delivery properly, and after Gianluca Busio sees his shot blocked, he takes another hit, and Dayne St. Clair gets down for a very good save. In the aftermath, Ali Ahmed is down writhing in pain, but he gets up and continues.
Watch in USA:
A full stretch save by @MNUFC's Dayne St. Clair for @CanadaSoccerEN 🧤 pic.twitter.com/fngiK8Cgmq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
60th min: John Herdman blinks first on the Canada sideline. Moise Bombito is withdrawn for Canada, replaced by Liam Fraser. Miles Robinson and Matt Turner suffer from some laughable miscommunication, but there's no pressure so it goes unpunished.
Jonathan Osorio the next Canada player to be booked for a foul on Djordje Mihailovic, while Cade Cowell enters for Alex Zendejas as the first U.S. substitute. The Cincinnati crowd wants their club hero Brandon Vazquez to be brought on.
Loud “We want Vaz-quez” chant from TQL Stadium is the best moment of the match so far.
— Pat Brennan (@PBrennanENQ) July 10, 2023
58th min: Now Kamal Miller is booked, and he too would be suspended for a potential semifinal. It's honestly a good foul, because Gianluca Busio would have been wide open on goal if he hadn't. It was so clear he had to do that, that there was maybe even a hint of a last-man foul, but the referee makes the right call.
This is a dangerous free-kick for the United States from about 25 yards out straight out top, but Gianluca Busio hits the wall and it deflects out for a corner.
Watch in USA:
Another one!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Inter Miami's Kamal Miller is seeing yellow in the 57th minute 🟨 pic.twitter.com/KPsX8RLaIt
56th min: Zack McGraw absorbs a yellow card by chopping down Alex Zendejas. Both he and Lucas Cavallini would be suspended for the semifinals if Canada go through.
53rd min: DeJuan Jones, one of the better performers so far for the U.S. in this match, wins a free-kick near the left corner flag. Julian Gressel stands over it, and he delivers what amounts to a shot that almost ends up as a banana, but Dayne St. Clair punches clear.
Watch in USA:
A good punch out by @MNUFC's Dayne St. Clair for Canada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/0tNvedYBYS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
48th min: The U.S. has held all the opening possession in this second half, and Djordje Mmihailovic takes a hit from outside the top of the penalty area, but it's blocked by Moise Bombito.
Kickoff: The second half is under way, and somehow there's no substitutions for either side. It's really surprising that the U.S. didn't make any changes, given how sloppy and loose they were through the first half.
HALFTIME: USA 0-0 Canada
There's a scuffle to end the half! Hard to tell what happened, but it appears that Gianluca Busio and Jesus Ferreira were involved in a square-up with Steven Vitoria and a few other Canadian players.
Between the referee injury, the sloppy play, the penalty review, that's one of the wackiest, messiest 45 minutes of football you'll ever see. Canada will be happier with how play progressed, as they were clearly the better side, threatening the U.S. goal on multiple occasions and looking pretty tidy at the back. They also appear to have the U.S. players extremely frustrated.
BJ Callaghan will have his work cut out for him to collect the emotions at halftime, while John Herdman will be largely pleased with play so far.
— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) July 10, 2023
USA vs Canada: First Half
45+10 min: This long passage of stoppage time continues, with more surely added on for the penalty review. The U.S. appears to be possessing the ball with the intention of getting this game to halftime. Jesus Ferreira has the first U.S. shot on target this match but it's a chopper that's got no pace and is easy for Dayne St. Clair to collect.
45+5 min: Play is stopped here for a VAR review, for what seems to be a potential handball by Miles Robinson. This could be trouble. The official is headed to the review screen...
The official comes out of a very long review, and he decides NO PENALTY, because Moise Bombito pushes Gianluca Busio, which is a foul on Canada, and ultimately the handball is nullified. Robinson is very lucky, even if that was an iffy situation.
As an aside, I don't know how a defender is supposed to jump without ANY arm movement. The rule has to change.
Watch in USA:
No penalty has been conceded by the United States 😬 pic.twitter.com/HSXsZEymq1
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
45+4 min: Chance, Canada! Oh my, Bryan Reynolds nearly puts the ball in his own net, but it goes over the crossbar! A cross from Junior Hoilett meets Reynolds on the run tracking back, and he puts it out for a corner, but it's way too close for comfort, nearly an own-goal. That's a dicey one!
45th min: Alex Zendejas does well to defend a Canada push up their right flank, winning a goal kick. 10 minutes of stoppage time is shown, thanks to the very early incident with the assistant referee.
42nd min: Lucas Cavallini draws a yellow card for an exceedingly dangerous challenge on James Sands, and there are some murmurs of a potential red card. He does catch Sands on the side of the ankle with his studs up, but it's probably not high enough on the leg to warrant a sending off. Cavallini is very lucky not to be sent off, as some officials would be tempted to go with the red there.
Watch in USA:
Lucas Cavallini is seeing yellow for his tackle on Sands 🟨 pic.twitter.com/Zz3KvxY24q
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
39th min: The U.S. has a very good spell of attacking possession, with Jesus Ferreira drifting out wide and delivering a dangerous low cross to the far post. Gianluca Busio gets up for a header on the doorstep but is nudged off it, and the U.S. has to reset the attack. Canada survive maybe the best U.S. buildup to this point.
36th min: Gianluca Busio gives the ball away again in midfield, and it eventually results in a James Sands foul that gives Canada a dangerous free-kick chance from near the left corner flag. Bryan Reynolds gets up to clear the delivery in the six-yard box.
Gianluca Busio has not had a good game. Very sloppy both on and off the ball for the #USMNT through 31 minutes. Silly foul there with Canada not really threatening in transition.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 10, 2023
31st min: James Sands wins a U.S. free-kick in a dangerous position, about 28 yards from goal shaded to the right. Julian Gressel's delivery is on a platter at the far post, but Dayne St. Clair does well to come flying out for the punch.
27th min: Chance, USA! Jesus Ferreira gets on the end of a corner and nearly puts the U.S. up, but his left-footed shot is blocked by Jonathan Osorio. If that had made it through on goal it would have found the back of the net!
25th min: Canada wants a penalty as Richie Laryea goes down after being very slightly clipped by Jalen Neal, but the referee waves it away. It's a very, very soft shout, as Neal knew nothing about it and was hardly even challenging, so the right call is made and VAR does not intervene.
Watch in USA:
No foul!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Do you agree? 🤨 pic.twitter.com/3LCObwoYMW
23rd min: Jalen Neal is left red-faced as he plays a poor back-pass to Matt Turner and it goes out for a Canada corner. It's been very sloppy from the United States so far, as they've been very loose on the ball.
The corner is a dangerous one into the penalty area but Miles Robinson does well to get it clear. On the recycle Matt Turner punches clear, and play is stopped as Zac McGraw collides with James Sands in what could have been a very dangerous coming together. Both get up slowly but without much wear.
Terrible opening 20 for the #USMNT.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) July 10, 2023
Canada doesn’t threaten in behind, no pace and they sit back on them. Pinned at the moment.
Need to possess the ball, hold it, breathe. Settle in.
Watch in USA:
A big punch out by the @USMNT's Matt Turner 🧤 pic.twitter.com/xxVpxfeXTD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
18th min: Chance, USA! Julian Gressel pulls one back for Gianluca Busio, but the U.S. midfielder mis-hits the shot and it goes harmlessly wide left. He had time to settle with a touch, but tried to meet the delivery one-time and didn't get the contact remotely correct.
Watch in USA:
Gianluca Busio tries his luck from outside the area 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/i7ubX8Rit9
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
That's the first opportunity for the U.S. as Canada has started this match strongly, giving the USMNT defense a few problems in the attacking third. Ali Ahmed is pulling the strings in midfield, while the United States can't get anything going in possession.
Doesn't matter the stage, Ali Ahmed is going to do Ali Ahmed things on a soccer pitch
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) July 10, 2023
Big Gold Cup quarter-final vs the USMNT? No worry, as he continues to run at defenders and makes things happen
The nice thing about a return to a 3-5-2 is seeing him in midfield again#CanMNT
16th min: The FOX broadcast reports that the assistant referee has gone back to his position, sending the fourth official back to his regular duties. Good to see him recover.
14th min: Understandably, the match has been a bit sleepy to restart after the wacky opening. Canada has an attacking possession, and Junior Hoilett goes down in the penalty area under a tackle by DeJuan Jones, but the referee waves them to play on. There's very little protesting of the call from Canada.
9th min: Play finally restarts, with the fourth official Oshae Nation indeed replacing the AR. Hope the assistant is ok, we'll see how this affects both the players and officiating crew, if at all.
6th min: What a wild start to the game. Players just getting going, and they have to stop. Both teams seen trying to keep their energy levels up, and almost re-warm up. The match is still stopped, and Mark Clattenburg tells the Fox broadcast that if he can't continue, the fourth official would step in for the assistant.
Clattenburg makes a very interesting observation that fourth officials are usually lead officials, and probably haven't been an AR in a while.
1st min: Wow, just seconds into the match, assistant referee Christian Espinosa has taken a clearance from point-blank range straight to his face. He's down receiving treatment but there's concern. He has blood coming from his nose, and they're doing a concussion test as well.
Watch in USA:
We just hope he's okay. pic.twitter.com/D2b0iIUeWQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Kickoff: The match is under way from TQL Stadium in Cincinnati! The 40th all-time meeting between these two CONCACAF neighbors, against whom they have never lost in Gold Cup play.
USA vs Canada: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more
9 mins to kick: Something to keep an eye on is the discipline of U.S. center-back Jalen Neal. He's the most important USMNT player on a yellow card, and if he picks up another he would be suspended for a potential semifinal. Yellow cards clear after the quarters, so if he can make it through unscathed and the U.S. moves on, he would be good the rest of the way.
Neal, just 19 years old, has brought his great play for the LA Galaxy with him to international duty, and has been one of the brightest surprises of this tournament for the USMNT. Today is a huge test, knowing a booking in this match would mean he'd be sidelined for a game if they advance.
Miazga, who debuted for the USMNT aged 20, also praised the young center-back Jalen Neal.
— Anthony (@anthonykyaw) July 8, 2023
“Jalen’s situation reminds me of myself. He’s like 19/20, I was also 19/20 playing for the Red Bulls.”
“He’s done really well, he has a lot of good traits. I’m happy to see it.” pic.twitter.com/8uCRljWZCZ
21 mins to kick: One player who could really take another step with a big performance here is Jesus Ferreira. Some have started calling him the "Pirate of the Caribbean" thanks to his prolific goalscoring record against small, island nations, but that nickname has been conjured in a slightly tongue-in-cheek fashion. A goal or two against a bigger CONCACAF rival would go a long way towards relegating that perception to the dustbin.
95% of money is on Jesus Ferreira +125 to score anytime goal at @BetMGM pic.twitter.com/vqO9L8PWLA
— John Ewing (@johnewing) July 9, 2023
"His stock has never been higher." 🇺🇸
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 9, 2023
Hear from @FCDalIas' Jesús Ferreira on making his own legacy for the @USMNT 📚 pic.twitter.com/0ZbK6kCWBp
35 mins to kick: Tonight's lineup for the United States is uncharacteristically inexperienced, even for a Gold Cup match. They've deployed a less-capped lineup in a Gold Cup knockout round in just one tournament before, in 2009.
11.7 - The @USMNT's starting XI vs. Canada averages 11.7 caps entering the match.
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 9, 2023
The only times the U.S. has named a less experienced side in a knockout match in the last 65 years was in the 2009 Gold Cup (all 3 knockout matches). Opportunities. pic.twitter.com/V9SvrYVb3K
45 mins to kick: John Herdman has done it again. After being heavily criticized for his comments prior to the World Cup match against Croatia, in which he gave the opponent bulletin board material before being blasted 4-1, he publicly stated he regretted those words and learned from the moment.
Yet here we go again, as Herdman stated after their final group stage match against Cuba that he purposely told his Canada side not to score more goals so they could match up against the United States in the knockout round.
"We could have pushed, but we took our foot off the gas because we were watching the score in the other game, and we were pretty clear coming into this match which team we wanted to play and what game we wanted to experience in the Gold Cup, so the football gods have given us our derby match."
It's a clearly disrespectful comment, so will it come back to haunt him again?
After the Cuba match, #CanMNT manager John Herdman said he didn't want his team to score more goals so that they could play the #USMNT in the 2023 Gold Cup quarter-finals ⚽️
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 9, 2023
Was he right to do so? 👀 pic.twitter.com/SaCfO4A5qy
1 hour to kick: Now the United States has its lineup out, and there are very few changes for BJ Callaghan from the final group stage matches. Bryan Reynolds and DeJuan Jones retain their full-back spots, while Djordje Mihailovic and Gianluca Busio also stay in midfield. Julian Gressel is the only change, coming into the wide area with Jordan Morris injured and Cade Cowell left on the bench.
Our XI vs. Canada 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cJcJ35SmeJ
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) July 9, 2023
1 hour 10 mins to kick: Canada have already released their lineup, with Dayne St. Clair in goal for the injured Milan Borjan in goal. There aren't any real huge surprises here, but it's fascinating that John Herdman has decided to start four natural center-backs against the United States. It's hard to say who will play where. Will he play a back three and push one into midfield, or will he move two out wide into a narrow four-man back line?
Your #CANMNT Starting XI vs. USA ⚔️#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/W8WZhpfWJQ
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 9, 2023
1 hour 20 mins to kick: The American Outlaws supporter group is marching through Cincinnati en route to TQL Stadium!
The @AmericanOutlaws are marching through Cincinnati ahead of tonight’s Gold Cup quarterfinal match between USA & Canada! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2CUyAdHYkw
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 9, 2023
1 hour 40 mins to kick: As Canada manager John Herdman is clearly aware, history is on the side of the USMNT ahead of tonight's matchup. These are the numbers from past Gold Cup encounters:
🇺🇸 @USMNT is undefeated against Canada in #GoldCup, with 4 wins and 1 draw.
— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) July 9, 2023
Who will get the ticket to the Semifinals? 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/789tPSLxqN
2 hours to kickoff: Canada may have a depleted roster, but head coach John Herdman knows exactly how long it's been since they've won against the USMNT on U.S. soil, and he's using that as motivation for his patchwork squad.
John Herdman Reaction:
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) July 5, 2023
"We've got a hungry group of players that are desperate to get that first win [against USMNT on USA soil] since 1957."#WeCAN #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/5WySKoIRz9
MORE: All-time Gold Cup winners in history
USA vs Canada lineups, team news
The USMNT midfield is thin, but has received one reinforcement as Jackson Yueill was added to the roster to replace the injured Alan Sonora. Jordan Morris is training separately, but is expected to be available. The availability of midfielder Aidan Morris is unknown having departed the team for personal reasons.
The biggest question for interim B.J. Callaghan was whether to risk rising center-back star Jalen Neal, who is one yellow card away from suspension. Despite knowing that yellow cards clear after the quarterfinals, Callaghan has deployed Neal again instead of turning to Matt Miazga to partner with Miles Robinson.
Additionally, Alex Zendejas has struggled this tournament, but given the relatively thin options behind him, he's entrusted again, with Julian Gressel entering on the opposite flank, leaving Cade Cowell on the bench.
USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Turner (GK) — Reynolds, Neal, M. Robinson, D. Jones – Mihailovic, Sands, Busio — Zendejas, Ferreira, Gressel.
USA projected subs (12): Johnson (GK), Slonina (GK), Miazga, Long, Yedlin, Tolkin, Yueill, A. Morris, Roldan, J. Morris, Cowell, Vazquez.
MORE: Complete USMNT roster for the 2023 Gold Cup
The Canada Gold Cup squad is missing a host of first-team regulars, such as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Alistair Johnston, Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, and Sam Adekugbe who were all released for summer rest after Nations League duty.
Adding to those missing, first-choice goalkeeper Milan Borjan was removed from the roster with an undisclosed injury, leaving Dayne St. Clair as the starter in goal.
That has left the Canada roster extremely thin, with Lucas Cavallini starting up front and other inexperienced players sprinkled in. The most entrenched first-teamers still with the team include Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett, and Kamal Miller.
Canada confirmed starting lineup (3-5-2): St. Clair (GK) — Miller, Vitoria, McGraw — Laryea, Millar, Osorio, Bombito, Ahmed — Hoilett, Cavallini.
Canada confirmed subs (11): McGill (GK), Zator, Kennedy, Brault-Guillard, Wotherspoon, Loturi, Fraser, Nelson, Russell-Rowe, Brym, Shaffelburg.
Watch USA vs Canada live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch the USA vs. Canada match in both countries.
USA
- Date: Sun, July 9, 2023
- Time (ET): 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- TV Channel: FS1, Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, TUDN site/app
The match between the United States and Trinidad & Tobago will be televised in the United States on FS1 (English) and on Univision and TUDN (Spanish). All three channels are available to stream on Fubo, which is offers a free trial for new users.
Subscribers to cable, satellite or telco packages can use their credentials to access a stream on the Fox Sports or TUDN site and app.
Canada
- Date: Sun, July 9, 2023
- Time (ET): 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
- Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app
The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.
It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.
USA vs Canada odds
Canada is a big underdog in this match, but maybe not as big as expected given their poor performances this tournament and their missing key players. Sports books are still installing Canada at just a hair over 3/1 to win in regulation, and under 2/1 to advance to the semifinal round.
Additionally, goals are expected to be at a premium despite the fact that Canada put four past Cuba in the last round, while the United States hung 12 combined goals on St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago.
USA win (90 mins) |
Draw (90 mins) |
Canada win (90 mins) |
Both teams to score (Y / N) |
Over / Under 2.5 goals |
USA advance |
Canada advance |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BetMGM (USA) |
-130 | +260 | +320 | -120 / -120 | -110 / -130 | -250 | +175 |
Sports Interaction (Canada) |
-135 | +265 | +330 | -127 / -123 | -114 / -122 | -270 | +185 |