CONCACAF Nations League Final 2023: Canada vs USA: predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The hosts have reached back-to-back finals

The CONCACAF Nations League 2023 trophy will be awarded Sunday evening when the United States and Canada meet in this year’s final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the first of two regional titles decided this summer.

The USMNT are defending Nations League champions, hoping to regain momentum and continue building on their progress from the last World Cup cycle. The U.S. Men’s National Team dominated Mexico en route to a 3-0 shutout win in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinals in front of a sellout crowd of 65,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium.

Forward and captain Christian Pulisic scored twice before four red cards were dished out (two to each side) and the game finished with just 18 players on the field on Thursday. Those red cards will, of course, have consequences, as the USMNT will be without starters (and standout performers on the night) Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest.

Canada secured a 2-0 win over Panama. A first-half goal from Lille striker Jonathan David before Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies iced the game with a second-half goal. Unsurprisingly, head coach John Herdman called them "bloody good players" in his postgame press conference.

The last time the USMNT faced Canada in 2022 World Cup qualifying, they came out on the losing end on a frigid day in Hamilton, Ontario. Not only was the 2-0 defeat a tough pill to swallow result-wise, but the performance was perhaps the low point of World Cup qualifying and Gregg Berhalter’s first sting as USMNT head coach. Berhalter is back in the saddle following his re-hiring on Friday, though he won’t take charge of the squad until after the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.

Kick-off:

Sunday, 18-06-2023, 12:30 pm (GMT)

Monday, 19-06-2023, 06:00 AM (IST)

Stadium: Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada

Form

Canada (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-L

USA (in all competitions): W-D-W-W-D

Players to watch

Jonathan David (Canada)

The Canadian wrapped up another phenomenal season for Lille, finding the back of the net 24 times in 38 appearances. He is an all-around talent who can create, run behind the back line, operate out of tight spaces, and find the right spots in which to receive the ball while also scoring in bunches.

With Herdman opting for two-striker formations of late, Cyle Larin should feature in the formation, having completed a respectable half-season in Spain with Valladolid. The 28-year-old is the typical target player, locking horns with the centre-backs and getting on the end of crosses.

Christian Pulisic (USA)

The American had struggled with Chelsea this season, owing to the team’s mid-table performance and a turbulent season. However, his performance against the Mexicans would have been a relief for the team and personally for him.

Christian Pulisic’s brace took his career tally to 25 international goals, pushing him past Joe-Max Moore and into sole possession of sixth place on the USMNT’s all-time goal scorers list. He trails Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (both 57), Jozy Altidore (42), Eric Wynalda (34), and Brian McBride (30).

Match Facts for Canada vs USA

• The USMNT starting XI had an average age of 23 years, 327 days, and averaged 26 caps overall and 17 appearances in official competition.
• Pulisic also became just the fifth USMNT player to record 20 or more goals in official competition. He sits behind Clint Dempsey (41), Landon Donovan (38), Jozy Altidore (24) and Brian McBride (23), and Christian Pulisic (21).
• With the win, the USMNT extends its unbeaten streak against El Tri to six straight games (4-0-2), matching the longest such streak against its rivals since a similar run from 2011–2015.
• Canada are hoping to send longtime captain Atiba Hutchinson out with a bang. The 40-year-old midfielder has stated he’ll retire after the Nations League, ending a stellar career that included a decade-long run at Turkish top-flight side Beşiktaş.
• Canada are eyeing their first title since lifting the 2000 Gold Cup, a 23-year gap.

Injury & team news for Canada vs US

Canada: Alphonso Davies (hamstring injury) is a doubt for the final match after picking up an injury against Panama.

USA: No injuries were reported in the squad.

Suspension: Red Card: W. Mckennie and S. Dest will miss the match after picking up suspensions against Mexico.

Head-to-Head

Matches – 20

Canada – 4

US – 12

Draws – 4

Predicted Lineups

Canada Predicted Lineup (4–4-2)

M. Borjan, A. Davies, S. Vitoria, K. Miller, A. Johnstone, J. David, R. Laryea, I. Kone, S. Eustaquio, C. Larin, T. Buchanan

USA Predicted Lineup (4–2–3-1)

M. Turner, A. Robinson, C. Richards, M. Robinson, W. Zimmerman, L. de la Torre, Y. Musah, C. Pulisic, G. Reyna, T. Weah, F. Balogun

Match Prediction

This is the 39th all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT holding a 16-10-12 advantage. Currently ranked 41st internationally by FIFA, Canada qualified for the Nations League Finals by finishing atop League A Group C.

They take on the defending champions in the final, and the most relief they'll feel will be the suspension of Dest and Mckennie due to their brawl in the semi-finals. It will be an exciting matchup to see as both teams are on parity; the only x factor would be the attackers making the opportunity to crack the defenders.

Prediction: Canada 1 - 2 USA

Telecast

USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+

India: No Telecast

UK: Premier Sports

Nigeria: No Telecast