The United States and Canada have not enjoyed a true rivalry in men’s soccer because while the Americans have enjoyed modest international success for decades, their northern neighbors have struggled to keep pace just in the region.
This World Cup qualifying cycle, however, the Canadians not only got the better of the two meetings, they are closing in on their first berth in 36 years.
On Sunday, in the chill of Hamilton, Ontario, the Canadians scored early and late to claim a 2-0 victory and hand the Americans a painful setback.
With four matches left, the United States (5-2-3) fell four points behind Canada (6-0-4) in the eight-team final round that will reward three nations with automatic berths in the World Cup late this year in Qatar.