Canada handed the United States Men’s National Team a rare Nations League defeat on Sunday, earning a 2-1 win at SoFi Stadium to secure third place in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League.
Goals from Tani Oluwaseyi and star forward Jonathan David sealed the victory for the Canadians, who outshot and outplayed the Americans despite conceding more possession. For the USA, it marked a disappointing end to a campaign in which they were aiming for a fourth straight title.
The match, played in front of a lively crowd in Inglewood, saw both sides field rotated lineups following semifinal losses just days prior. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino made five changes from the team that fell 1-0 to Panama, including giving Charlotte FC’s Patrick Agyemang his first start in tournament play.
Canada drew first blood in the 27th minute. A low cross from Ali Ahmed wasn’t properly dealt with in the U.S. box, and Minnesota United’s Oluwaseyi pounced on the loose ball to fire home his first international goal from close range.
Agyemang responded eight minutes later, finishing a slick move that started with Tim Weah’s darting run. Diego Luna, in just his second cap, teed up the striker with a deft pass in the box, and Agyemang made no mistake, leveling the score at 1-1.
However, Canada regained the lead in the 59th minute. After a poor clearance by Weah, Ahmed once again was at the heart of the action, slipping a pass to David, who beat Matt Turner with a superb curling strike into the far corner. It was David’s 32nd international goal – further cementing his place as Canada’s all-time leading scorer.
Despite late pressure and a few close calls—including a dangerous header by Mark McKenzie and a near miss by Max Arfsten—the USA couldn’t find a way back. Canada’s Dayne St. Clair came up with a couple of timely saves to preserve the lead.
The loss drops the USA to fourth place, their worst finish in the Nations League since the competition’s inception. The Americans had won the previous three editions in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Canada, under the leadership of Jesse Marsch, who was sent off in the 54th minute for dissent, walked away with a well-earned bronze medal and momentum heading into the summer.
The USMNT will regroup in June for high-profile friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before kicking off their Gold Cup campaign on June 14. As for Canada, this win offers a morale boost and a reminder that the gap at the top of Concacaf is narrowing.