The Canadian men's national team is ready to take on the US men's national team in the Nations League final after putting on a command performance in their 2–0 victory over Panama last Thursday.
The team will feature in their first final of the CONCACAF tournament, after failing to defeat Mexico in the semifinal during the 2021 edition. But head coach John Herman insists this is their year.
"It means nothing unless you win it," said Herdman. "We got to the semifinal of a Gold Cup, and I just remember that disappointment. We played like six games to get there and, yeah, it hurt."
For Canada, it's time to focus.
"As I keep saying to the players, it's about bringing the future to the now," added Herdman. "We've got our eyes on 2026 and winning big matches there, but the future is now for us. We've got to take some steps to keep building that trust and confidence in our own ability to win matches."
But it won't be easy for the Canadian team, as the USMNT boast one of their greatest generations to sport the Stars and Stripes. Though B.J. Callaghan's team will be without Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest, who are ineligble to feature due to red cars received against Mexico, the line up is still one to watch out for.
"If we have to win ugly, given our circumstances, we will win ugly," Herdman admitted. "It's just trying to find that wherewithal to win," adding a sobering lesson from their World Cup run. "I'm not putting any pressure on them to win the game with 700 passes and 27 shots. We did that against Belgium, and we came away with nothing."
No matter the outcome, this final match in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium marks a new era in Concacaf rivalry.
This article was originally published on 90min as Canada anticipates 'ugly win' against USMNT in Nations League final .
