By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 1, 2016) US Soccer Players – The United States and Canada have a lot it common when it comes to sports. Canadian teams participate in some of the biggest US-based pro leagues such as baseball and basketball - a traditional that extends to Major League Soccer. The two nations share a rivalry that is most-heated when it comes to hockey due to its NHL connection. Our northern neighbors can also claim soccer as one of its fastest-growing sports.

Fueled by the growth of the game, the USA’s rivalry against Canada – while not as heated and evenly matched as USA vs Mexico – continues to grow and now counts among one of the fiercest in CONCACAF. Proximity has certainly helped along with regular games on the schedule.

The next one is set for February 5 when the USMNT tries to make it two friendly wins in a row at StubHub Center. The USMNT started 2016 with a friendly win over Iceland on January 31. Iceland is Europe’s over-achiever, finally qualifying for the European championship. Canada might also have a surprise in store.

For the first time in decades, Canada looks like it can compete for a spot at the 2018 World Cup. Canada qualified for Mexico ’86, it’s only World Cup. They last reached the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying during the 1998 World Cup cycle. Now, under coach Benito Floro, Canada puts a priority on a stronger defense with his preferred 4-5-1. That tactical shift is already working. What that means against a CONCACAF heavyweight like the USMNT even in an out of window friendly setting is a question Canada would like to answer.

Canada hasn’t beaten the USMNT in 35 years. For a good chunk of time, the rivalry between these two nations wasn’t really much of one. Throughout the 1970s, where the teams faced each other six times, Mexico solely dominated the region. While the NASL flourished in both countries, the USA and Canada missed out on the World Cup. It wasn’t until the mid-80s when Canada put one over on the USMNT, making the ’86 World Cup. The USMNT missing out helped push the NASL out of business, an unintended consequence that ended up doing more harm to Canada’s national tram.

The USMNT vs Canada rivalry truly became one-sided starting in the 1990s, continuing through to the creation of MLS in 1996 and into the present day. The USA is 13-8-11 all-time versus Canada, unbeaten in its last 16 matches (8-0-8).

Here is a look at five USA-Canada games through the decades that shows why this is a rivalry that can only grow in the coming years:

2013 Friendly

To kick-off US Soccer’s centennial, the USMNT could only manage a scoreless draw against Canada on January 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium before nearly 12,000 fans on a rainy night in Houston. Since it was the first match of the year, it came following the January camp. Five players made their USMNT debuts – defenders Matt Besler, Tony Beltran and Justin Morrow, midfielder Alfredo Morales, and striker Will Bruin. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson, making his first start ever for the US and earning his third cap, recorded the shutout, making one save.

2012 Friendly

To mark the Canadian Soccer Association 100th birthday, the United States played Canada to a 0-0 tie at BMO Field in Toronto on June 3 in front of a crowd of 15,247. In a game dominated by poor offense by both teams, Tim Howard recorded the shutout, making three saves.

2011 Gold Cup – first round

The USMNT, coached by Bob Bradley, recorded a 2-0 victory against Canada to open the Gold Cup on June 7 at Ford Field in Detroit. Jozy Altidore, making his Gold Cup debut, and Clint Dempsey scored the goals. Howard earned the shutout thanks to his four saves.

2007 Gold Cup – semifinals

In perhaps one of the most-controversial finishes in USMNT history, the Americans defeated Canada 2-1 in the semifinals of the Gold Cup on June 21 at Soldier Field. Frankie Hejduk put the US ahead in the 39th minute and Landon Donovan’s penalty put the US up 2-0 at the half. Canada scored in the 76th minute, putting its attack into hyper-drive in an effort to earn a draw. With Kasey Keller on his toes, the USMNT found itself down a man when Michael Bradley was red carded following a tackle on Julian De Guzman. Up a man, Canada looked to tie the match in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but Atiba Hutchinson’s goal was ruled offside. It was a contentious decision. The Canadians protested in vain and the US escaped with the win.

1985 Friendly

Canada defeated the US 2-0 – the last time the Americans lost to its neighbors – on April 2 before 9,150 fans at BC Place in Vancouver. Two goals by Czech-born striker Igor Vrablic, who went on to play for Canada at the 1986 World Cup, gave his side the win. Vrablic’s career, however, came to an end when he and three other players were suspended following a match-fixing scandal a year later.

Clemente Lisi is a New York-based writer. Contact him at: CAL4477@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ClementeLisi.

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