Jesse Marsch hopes Canada's memorable Copa America debut changes the trajectory of football in the country, as they look to cap their campaign with a bronze medal against Uruguay.
Canada's first appearance at the tournament saw them reach the semi-finals, a memorable penalty shoot-out victory over Venezuela teeing up a meeting with Argentina.
Marsch's team gave a solid account of themselves against the holders but were beaten 2-0 with Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi on target, sending them into Saturday's third-place play-off.
Marsch, who was only appointed a few weeks before the tournament began, hopes their campaign will be a catalyst for further improvement ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.
"We want to inspire the nation," Marsch said one day after Canada's semi-final defeat. "We want to develop the sport in this country.
"We want people to remember this as a moment in time that changed the trajectory of what this sport is in Canada.
"We're establishing things at some high levels. But in order to be a real team that can hold up to the biggest moments and biggest matches, there's more work to be done.
"Physically, mentally, intellectually, we've got to find a way to develop players faster."
Marsch added he will make changes to his lineup in North Carolina, with Alphonso Davies a doubt after he suffered an injury to his left foot.
Marsch will come up against his Leeds United predecessor Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday, after his much-fancied Uruguay side were beaten 1-0 by 10-man Colombia in their own semi-final.
Daniel Munoz was sent off on the stroke of half-time after Jefferson Lerma had headed Colombia into the lead, but Uruguay were outshot seven to six while a man up despite enjoying 73% of the possession.
Bielsa believes La Celeste would have been better off against a full complement, saying: "When they have 11, Colombia are a team that plays to play, and so are we.
"In that context, we created scoring chances and the ones we conceded were generated by some concessions from us.
"Eleven against eleven, for us, it was easier to attack, and we had to defend. In the second half, playing with an extra man, it was much more difficult to attack, and we practically didn't have to defend."
Uruguay's defeat was marred by scenes of crowd violence involving the families of some Celeste players at full-time, prompting CONMEBOL to open an investigation.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Canada – Jonathan David
Canada had 25 touches in Argentina's penalty area in their semi-final, 12 more than the world champions, yet they only managed five shots from inside the box to their opponents' seven.
If they are to cap a historic campaign with a medal, they may need David to make some of those openings count.
David has underperformed his expected goals figures at this tournament, netting once from chances valued at 1.58 xG. No Canada player has attempted more than his seven shots, three of which have hit the target.
Uruguay – Darwin Nunez
Nunez has attempted more shots (20) than any other player at this edition of the Copa America, with his total of 2.59 xG only bettered by Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (2.91).
While the Liverpool man has two goals to his name, they both came in the group stage, and he has only hit the target with five of his 20 attempts.
Among all players to net at this year's tournament, only three have a worse shot accuracy than Nunez's 33% (excluding blocks), but a profitable game here could even put him back in the race for the Golden Boot.
MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN
Uruguay have participated in the third-place play-off at the Copa America on three previous occasions, beating Colombia 2-1 in 2004, drawing 2-2 with Honduras in 2001 (then losing on penalties) and suffering a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in 2007.
A victory in North Carolina would make this Uruguay's joint-second best Copa campaign of the 21st century, after they won the title in 2011.
They have only lost four of their 15 Copa America matches against Concacaf opponents, though they are winless in their last three such games in the knockout rounds, losing 3-1 to Mexico in the the 2007 third-place match, and drawing 2-2 with Honduras in the 2001 edition after losing 2-1 to Mexico in the semi-finals.
Canada are aiming to become the third Concacaf country to finish third in the competition after Mexico (1997, 1999 and 2007) and Honduras (2001).
A victory would make this the second-best campaign by a non-CONMEBOL Copa America debutant nation, after Mexico took silver on their 1993 bow. However, Marsch's men are big outsiders.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Canada – 13.2%
Uruguay – 70%
Draw – 16.8%
Bellingham salutes 'unbelievable human being' Southgate after England departure
Jude Bellingham hailed "unbelievable human being" Gareth Southgate, while Kieran Trippier and Eberechi Eze also paid tribute to the outgoing England boss.
Southgate announced on Tuesday he would step down as the Three Lions' head coach following their heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
The 53-year-old was overseeing his second successive European Championship final since replacing Sam Allardyce in September 2016, while also guiding England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Southgate departs having won 61 of his 102 matches at the helm, with only Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson managing England on more occasions.
And Bellingham saluted the man under whom he made his Three Lions debut in 2020 before becoming a key member of the side.
"I'd like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure," the Real Madrid midfielder wrote on Instagram.
"From the point of view of a fan who has become a member of the squad, it's been a rollercoaster of amazing emotions that has instilled hope and joy back into our country.
"It was a privilege being led by someone who is so dedicated and passionate. Not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team, but also an unbelievable human being. Thank you for everything and all the best in the next chapter, Gaffer."
Trippier has won all 54 of his England caps under Southgate, while playing a key role at each of his four major tournaments at the helm.
"Want to say thank you to Gareth for everything," the Newcastle United defender said. "A top coach who I know will be successful wherever his next role may be. Thank you."
"Would like to thank Gareth, not only for giving me the opportunity to play in my first major tournament but also for all you and your staff have done to get this England team to where we are today," Eze added.
"We are closer than ever to achieving what we dream of and that is hugely down to what you have created. I wish you all the best for the future."
Vancouver Whitecaps v Sporting Kansas City: Sartini targeting strong finish after impressive run
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini believes there are no limits to where his side can finish in MLS if they continue their unbeaten streak against Sporting Kansas City.
The Whitecaps have not lost any of their last five matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing one, leaving them sixth in the Western Conference.
With only eight points separating them from the top of the table, and Vancouver having two games in hand over some of those above them, Sartini is confident his team can challenge for a top spot.
"We have to push for the next two games at home before the rest and the Leagues Cup, so we really need to push, and then we can regroup in the last 10 games to try and get the highest position possible," Sartini said.
"We need to get points because everyone is getting points. It's really hard.
"If we keep winning, sooner or later we'll be higher than fifth or sixth. The only thing we can do is win."
Sporting Kansas City are on a three-match winning streak of their own, which has lifted them off the foot of the table.
After going through a rough patch of just one win in five before that, head coach Peter Vermes has highlighted how the squad rotation has helped him get the best out of his players.
"I am [proud]," Vermes said.
"Each time, no matter what their responsibility is — whether they are starting, playing 90 minutes or coming in the second half — the responsibility to come in and make a contribution to the team has taken on a much different effect than it did early in the season.
"It's a credit to the players because they are the ones on the field who have to do the work and make the contributions."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Brian White has scored in four straight matches for the second time this season (also in April), the only player in MLS with multiple streaks of four or more games with a goal this season.
The only Whitecaps player to score in five straight league games was Camilo Sanvezzo in June-July 2013.
Sporting Kansas City – Erik Thommy
Erik Thommy scored his first MLS goal since April in Sporting's win over San Jose on Saturday with a strike from outside the box.
It was Sporting's 11th goal from outside the box this season, three more than any other MLS team.
MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The 10 meetings between the Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City since the start of the 2020 season have been split, with each side winning four times and drawing twice. Both sides have recorded at least one win home and away in that time.
The Whitecaps are currently unbeaten in their last five home matches in all competitions (W4 D1), including winning the last two at BC Place. Vancouver have not gone six straight home matches without defeat in all competitions since October-November 2021.
However, Kansas City have won three of their last four regular-season matches after opening the season with three wins in their first 20 games (D5 L12). Saturday's win, 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes, snapped an eight-match road losing streak in league play for Sporting.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%
Draw – 25.2%
Sporting Kansas City – 24.6%
'I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid', Mbappe smiles at Madrid unveiling
Kylian Mbappe told Real Madrid supporters: "I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid", as he was officially unveiled at Santiago Bernabeu.
The France captain completed his long-awaited blockbuster move to Los Blancos following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Mbappe put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the reigning LaLiga and Champions League winners, for whom he will wear the number nine shirt.
Over 80,000 spectators were at the Bernabeu to see the 25-year-old's official presentation, which was delayed due to France's involvement at Euro 2024.
And Mbappe shared with them his delight at realising a lifelong ambition.
"I spent endless nights dreaming about one day playing for Real Madrid, and today I am one happy guy," he said. "My family are so happy here, I can see my mum crying.
"It's an incredible day for me. I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid, and this day means a lot to me."
Sporting Madrid's new home kit, Mbappe was introduced to the crowd by club president Florentino Perez.
"The love that you felt for Real Madrid, and you identifying with this club since your childhood, made it possible for you to be here and to overcome those obstacles on the way to your dream," Perez said.
Los Blancos' head coach Carlo Ancelotti extended the welcome to his new signing, writing on X: "Welcome to the best club in the world. Welcome home, Kylian."
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