These two sides faced each other twice in 2023 with the United States winning one match and drawing the other, and then once in 2024 with Canada winning a friendly. Without Antonee Robinson available this will be a tougher task for the USMNT, but these are just the challenges that show who is fit for Pochettino's squad.

Since Marsch took over the Canadian team in May 2024, his ideals have driven the group emotionally and tactically. Ahead of the clash with the USMNT, he showed the team clips of the Canadian hockey team’s three fights in nine seconds against the USA at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, wanting to inspire his team for the third-place clash.

With questions swirling about their mentality and urgency, the USMNT faces Canada in a third-place match few saw coming.