The match against the United States presents Canada with an opportunity to accrue much needed FIFA Points, which would help the program climb the international rankings into the top six within the region – automatically admitting them for the hexagonal phase of World Cup Qualifying. Beyond the tangible however, the match against the USA also provides Herdman with a litmus test for the progress of the program. Up and to this point, it has been widely agreed that Canada is moving in the right direction, and can challenge the top sides within CONCACAF. The result against the USA on Tuesday night will either prove that to be true, or cast the first aspersions of doubt on the federation’s current project. In this sense, the definition of success is clear for Canada.

One thing is for sure: as CONCACAF goes this is a banner fixture. The two sides have not met in a competitive match since the Gold Cup in 2013. Canada is clearly motivated for this match, it was a sentiment echoed by nearly every player at training on Monday. For USA the affair seemed less pressing, this is likely not helped by the fact that Canada has not defeated the USA since 2007. Berhalter’s side knows there is an expectation that they meet Mexico in the Nations League final, and in the meantime, though they may not come with plaudits, only wins will suffice.