Shaken USMNT aims to avert 58-year humiliation in clash with Canada

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• Canada’s recent momentum and the rivalry’s context
• Pochettino warns fatigue could force changes
• Which US players have logged the most minutes this fall

The U.S. men’s national team faces a tense friendly with Canada in Minnesota on Tuesday, and coach Mauricio Pochettino has flagged a key concern: his squad is running low on energy after a packed fall schedule and travel disruptions. The match also carries historical weight — a Canadian victory would mark three straight wins over the US for the first time since the late 1960s.

Canada’s recent momentum and the rivalry’s context

For decades the United States largely held the upper hand in this North American rivalry. Between 1985 and 2019, Canada failed to beat its southern neighbor in 17 consecutive meetings.

That trend has shifted under coach Jesse Marsch. His group has beaten the US twice recently — in a friendly in September 2024 and again when Canada secured third place in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League — and are now two wins into a current run.

Marsch downplayed any personal vendetta over past job decisions, saying: “There’s definitely not a grudge. People want to take it that way, which is fine.” He also framed the matchup as a measuring stick, adding that he wants to give his players the best chance “to go out and play at their best and win the match.”

Pochettino warns fatigue could force changes

Pochettino struck a cautious tone when previewing the fixture. He said the US squad’s preparations were disrupted by a delayed flight from Phoenix and noted many players have accumulated heavy minutes during a condensed run of international and club commitments this fall.

That context, he warned, “can affect” selection. The coach suggested rotation is likely to protect players from overload while still aiming to finish the window in strong shape: “It’s about to keep growing and I think supporting the players and to finish the [window] in a very good condition.”

He balanced caution with confidence, saying he expects the team to arrive in Minnesota “with fresh energy” and called the camp an opportunity for continued development rather than just one isolated friendly.

Which US players have logged the most minutes this fall

Players with the highest workload could be the likeliest candidates for rest or rotation, given Pochettino’s warning.