With new head coach Mauricio Pochettino waiting in the wings, interim head coach Mikey Varas leads the United States men’s national team into a friendly against northern rivals Canada on Saturday in Kansas City.
It’s the first time the USMNT has taken the field after the disappointment of this summer’s Copa America, where the United States was eliminated in the group stage, an ending that marked the end for head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino is reportedly set to sign his contract soon, but he has yet to do so officially, forcing Varas to take charge of the team in this match. The Argentine coach is expected to be present at the game, in order to take a look at the players he will lead at the home World Cup in two years’ time.
Canada, meanwhile, continues to build on its Copa America success, having reached the semifinals to the surprise of many viewers. U.S. head coach Jesse Marsch has a tenuous relationship with U.S. Soccer, but he has settled into his current role in a short time.
It’s Marsch’s first time on the field since the drone scandal that rocked Canada Soccer during the Olympics. While that scandal has mostly affected the women’s team, it has also cast a dark cloud over the men’s program, which has reportedly been using the questionable practice of spying on opponents’ practices for years.
LIVE BLOG: Follow real-time updates as the United States hosts Canada in an international friendly
USA vs Canada Live Streaming, TV Channel
- Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
- Time: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
The USMNT friendly against Canada in Kansas City will be televised in the United States on TBS, as part of Turner’s long-term rights agreement with US Soccer.
TBS and other Turner channels are available for streaming on Slingwhile the match can also be streamed on Turner’s dedicated platform, Max. Subscription service Peacock is also an option for Spanish language broadcast.
In Canada, this match is televised on OneSoccer, which is available for streaming on Fubo Canada.
What time is the kick-off for the USA vs Canada match?
The international friendly will kick off at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, September 7 at 3 p.m. local time in Kansas City.
Here’s how this time translates across time zones in North America:
| Date | Kick-off time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat. 7 Sept. | 4 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat. 7 Sept. | 3:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat. 7 Sept. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat. 7 Sept. | 1:00 p.m. |
USA vs Canada Team Lineups and News
The USMNT is without a few key players due to injuries. Sergino Dest continues to recover from his torn ACL and will be out for some time, and Antonee Robinson is not on the list to rest. Tyler Adams is still recovering from a back injury and has missed significant time with various fitness issues in recent years, while Tim Weah is also out with a hamstring injury suffered in Juventus’ season opener. Gio Reyna was forced to withdraw from the team due to a groin strain, replaced by Cade Cowell.
Some, meanwhile, have been left out due to the club’s form, including Weston McKennie who is not a starter at Juventus at the moment. Others include defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers And Miles Robinson who both got playing time at their various clubs but struggled at times.
There are questions at the goaltending position, and Matt Turner is denied a start despite an urgent need for playing minutes which are lacking at club level, as Patrick Schulte is called instead. At first, it is a surprise that Brenden Aaronson is named in the XI with Haji Wright And Josh Sargent in much better shape in club.
USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Schulte (GK) — Scally, Richards, Ream, Lund — Musah, Cardoso, M. Tillman — Aaronson, Balogun, Pulisic.
Head coach Marsch has called up a full squad for these September friendlies as he looks to continue establishing his tactical influence on the Canadian team. Alphonso Davies, Jonathan DavidAnd Stephen Eustaquio are all in the running, as are most of their other Copa America starters.
Full back Sam Adekugbe was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a slight groin strain, after also missing the Copa America with a calf problem.
There are some young talents scattered around, with uncapped midfielders Niko Sigur And Nathan Saliba called as well as the Sporting KC striker Stephen Africa during his first training camp with the national team.
Canada starting lineup (4-3-3): Crépeau (GK) — Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies — Ahmed, Choinière, Eustaquio — David, Larin, Shaffelburg.
USA vs Canada Prediction
- Score prediction: United States 2-2 Canada
Canada has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in CONCACAF, and it brings a strong team to this friendly. But this summer’s drone scandal has cast doubt on its recent rise, and Jesse Marsch is now tasked with proving it can win without any apparent unfair advantage in its own half.
American football is going through a period of transition, with the loss of Gregg Berhalter and the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, and the inconvenience caused by this international break will create some confusion within the team.
Still, Team USA has the better team overall, especially in terms of depth, and there are plenty of holes on Canada’s side. An entertaining draw could be in store for two teams that both have weaknesses along the backline as well as in-form forwards.
