Which country has a stronger football team: USA or Canada?

[bluesfan94]

In another head to head, I'd take Canada over the USMNT. Your program is in shambles with an awful manager

Is now the best time to say that? Y'all scored the same number of goals as us (less, if you take away own goals) while giving up a ton more collecting all of 0 points and failing to get out of the group stage.

 

[MarkStone]

Canada's program has made a ton of strides and that shouldn't be dismissed or have a patronizing attitude towards it.

It's a weird one where Canada probably has you would say the top two players, and Eustaquio is very good. The qualifying results were not surprising at all in the sense of when you watched the respective teams actually on the pitch but I think you would have to honestly say that the U.S. program is still healthier and in a better place.

Despite that, Canada obviously wants to be in a better position in the future than the U.S. are (it's nothing to write home about right now) and the U.S. themselves obviously want to make strides and progress.

 

[Live in the Now]

Is now the best time to say that? Y'all scored the same number of goals as us (less, if you take away own goals) while giving up a ton more collecting all of 0 points and failing to get out of the group stage.

The facts are that they're in all the competitions that we're in. They haven't won a Gold Cup since 2000 and we just won the Gold Cup and Nations League, so I'm not hearing any of this. If your team is better, they should win something first.

 

[bluesfan94]

The US has been banking on natural progression to lift them up for two decades meanwhile there is no one here or on the horizon who has come close to replacing Dempsey, Donovan, McBride etc.

Other than Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, etc.

 

[AlanHUK]

US has the better team, Canada has the better high end attacking players.

I also think nerves impacted this Canadian squad since none of them will have played at the WC before.

Canada really needs to develop some defenders in the next 4 years though, especially if they plan on keeping Davies as an attacking player

 

[bluesfan94]

The facts are that they're in all the competitions that we're in. They haven't won a Gold Cup since 2000 and we just won the Gold Cup and Nations League, so I'm not hearing any of this. If your team is better, they should win something first.

And Canada is old while America is young. Other than Ream, we haven't played a single person over 30.

The CBs are old when it comes to Zimmerman, Long, and Ream. But their replacements exist and are playing in top leagues in Europe (Richards, EPB; CCV and McKenzie are in lower leagues but start). And even if you look at other players who have been called up recently, only two (Lletget and Zardes) are 30+.

 

[Pink Mist]

Is now the best time to say that? Y'all scored the same number of goals as us (less, if you take away own goals) while giving up a ton more collecting all of 0 points and failing to get out of the group stage.

I'm not sure scoring one goal against Iran (a team that gave up 6 to England) and Wales is the brag you think it is.

And you also bring up an own goal as an argument against when it was likely a goal that was going in anyway even if the defender didn't deflect it

 

[bluesfan94]

And you also bring up an own goal as an argument against when it was likely a goal that was going in anyway even if the defender didn't deflect it

Yes, if there weren't defenders there Canada probably would have scored. If the defender defended the ball properly, it wouldn't have been a problem at all.

I'm not sure scoring one goal against Iran (a team that gave up 6 to England) and Wales is the brag you think it is.

Sure. In that case, I'd point out that we gave up 0 goals to England while you couldn't keep a single clean sheet

 

[Live in the Now]

I'm not sure scoring one goal against Iran (a team that gave up 6 to England) and Wales is the brag you think it is.

And you also bring up an own goal as an argument against when it was likely a goal that was going in anyway even if the defender didn't deflect it

Qatar scored one less goal than Canada and they gave up the same amount of goals while both finishing with 0 points. I'm cracking up at you criticizing how many goals another team scored here. Defending well is part of having a good team.

 

[Mobiandi]

Other than Pulisic, Reyna, Weah, Aaronson, etc.

Pulisic is an obvious tier below them. The rest are all pretty forgettable players that no one outside the US care about

 

[bluesfan94]

Pulisic is an obvious tier below them. The rest are all pretty forgettable players that no one outside the US care about

Pulisic is scoring at the same rate as Dempsey (and much better than Donovan) while playing at better clubs in Europe.

Reyna, Weah, Aaronson all start/play for big 5 league teams but I'm sure no one cares about them. All three would waltz into Canada's starting lineup

 

[Karterthadon]

What an embarrassing thread.

Let's just say Davies is the best talent in CONCACAF. It means nothing when the rest of your squad is just totally mediocre. Just ask the Norwegian football fans what it means to have the best striker in Europe.

I'm Canadian but the squad was terribly overrated due to individual players picking up options for European clubs. The mindset literally became "oh this guy signed for a European team, therefore he must be good!"

This country still has a long long way to go before being in consideration with Mexico and USA. One WCQ cycle means squat.

Simply put, this team does not make it out of Group B. We put up a combined 2 shots on net in the final 180 minutes of play. This squad was just futile in attacking.

The fact that we were able to get two talents at the level of Davies and David out of the footballing infrastructures of this country is a freaking miracle, we oughta be hella proud of it.

But there are no short term solutions to what ails this country. Mexico has solid footballing infrastructure that goes back several decades. They're in a little bit of glut at the moment but they should bounce back sooner than not. The US has nearly unlimited resources, they can pour billions of dollars in their footballing programs in a way that Canada cannot.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Pulisic is scoring at the same rate as Dempsey (and much better than Donovan) while playing at better clubs in Europe.

Reyna, Weah, Aaronson all start/play for big 5 league teams but I'm sure no one cares about them. All three would waltz into Canada's starting lineup

Statement #1: Extremely accurate.

Statement #2: Absurd. None of those three are as good as David (obviously), and all three are a wash with Buchanan.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I mean I just think it’s funny how much lack of knowledge you are showing right now to even suggest FIFA rankings are an accurate representation. Keep going - this is great

Shall we look at Elo Ratings as well (20 to 40)? Or what, your "trust me, bro" ranks?

Happy that I was able to teach you how groups are determined at the World Cup...

 

[Live in the Now]

Statement #1: Extremely accurate.

Statement #2: Absurd. None of those three are as good as David (obviously), and all three are a wash with Buchanan.

Counterpoint:

1. Junior Hoilett started 2/3 games for you guys

2. Cyle Larin started the other game and those guys are better than him too.

3. Aaronson plays CM and would easily play over a few of the guys who got used.

 

[bluesfan94]

Statement #2: Absurd. None of those three are as good as David (obviously), and all three are a wash with Buchanan.

All three are better than Buchanan. Or Weah would play RB or Reyna/Aaronson would play in the midfield. Or Davies would move to LB. Canada sitting what would be at worst their 4th most talented player would be silly.

The fact that we were able to get two talents at the level of Davies and David out of the footballing infrastructures of this country is a freaking miracle, we oughta be hella proud of it.

What's somewhat ironic is that neither of them were born in Canada

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

What's somewhat ironic is that neither of them were born in Canada

They were both developed basically fully in Canada though? Fail to see the irony here

 

[bluesfan94]

They were both developed basically fully in Canada though? Fail to see the irony here

Yeah, I know. Irony is probably the wrong word; just a little odd/unexpected.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Once Mexico gets their feet sorted, they'll easily return to being the kings of Concacaf

lol, oldest team at the World Cup, didn't make it out. USA 2nd youngest team, champions of Nations League, champions of the Gold Cup without the best players beating most of Mexico's best... Mexico has little in the way of reinforcements coming.

Mexico "getting their feet sorted" to "easily return to being the kings" is a ways away, and at this point, nothing but a hypothetical.

USA is a giant nation, very wealthy and hyper-rabid of sports. The only question is whether the passion will be there to stay good at Soccer, for now though, USA has a much brighter future than Mexico.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Stay good at soccer???

 

[WarriorofTime]

Stay good at soccer???

stay the Kings of CONCACAF, put a bunch of players on Champions League teams, advance in World Cup, the sort of things USA is currently doing, etc.

 

[Pink Mist]

Yeah, I know. Irony is probably the wrong word; just a little odd/unexpected.

Not really that unexpected or odd for a country to have immigrants and refugees

 

[dalewood12]

Canada has the best player, but US is deeper.

 

[Korpse]

Weird chest thumping aside. Obviously USA is further ahead, that's not and never has been a secret. They are in a much better position to compete at a level such as the world cup. That said I don't think the gap is nearly as large as it has been previously, head to head and within CONCACAF Canada is able to challenge them. It will be good to see the rivalry grow

 

[luiginb]

Statement #2: Absurd. None of those three are as good as David (obviously), and all three are a wash with Buchanan.

He might get there at some point but Buchanan has a lot of football to play to be able to even be mentioned in the same breath as Reyna. Weah I don't rate so much.