Game: USA vs. Canada
Date & Time: Friday, November 15th, 2019, 7:00 (EST)
Location: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV Channel: ESPN 2 / ESPN 3
The Line: USA Money Line -182 (Favorite)
Degenerates! Hello! You think because the Premier League isn’t happening this weekend I was going to give myself time off? Think again! The US Mens National Team is back in action as they need to bounce back after an embarrassing loss in Canada. I come back to you after predicting the Over 6.5 on total goals when the US played Cuba. The line was at +230 and I knew something was fishy, and I knew some bullshit was going to go down if I bet the Under. I’m glad I called out the oddsmakers on their bullshit as the Over was a winner, thanks to a 7-0 thrashing. And then they went up north and, yea I won’t remind of that game just yet.
Although the USMNT played the least amount of games in the group, this is not a pretty site for the Americans. This is a ‘must win’ game for the USMNT. I put that in quotation marks because who the fuck cares about the Nations League. Do you even remember who won the Euro Nations League? I do, because it’s my job (Portugal). But who cares, because every game for the United States is a must-win if they want to be considered an International threat they so desperately desire to be.
PREVIEW
It’s a good thing Canada got their win at home because traveling to Orlando will be a unique environment. Orlando has the seventh highest MLS attendance average of 22,761 spectators in an Exploria Stadium that seats 25,500. The citizens of Orlando love their soccer. However, the USMNT were abysmal earlier in October against the Canadians. The only positive they can take away from that game is that they had slightly more ball possession than the Canadiens. Canada was more dominant. Canada was more dangerous. Canada wanted it more, and that is something the USMNT needs to adapt and improve on if they seek a good result against Canada. It really puts a dagger in Gregg Berhalter’s tactics as both Pulisic and Bradley will not be featured due to injuries. And Pulisic is the hottest player in the Premier League right now that the USMNT could really use for this revenge game.
KEY STATS
- Canada is looking for their first back-to-back win against the USMNT since 1985.
- Only playing 3 games in Orlando, USMNT never lost in Orlando. Most recently beating Ecuador 1-0 back in March
- Gregg Berhalter became the second USMNT head coach to start with 3 straight wins, in Orlando.
PREDICTION
Both teams will go through to the next stage of the CONCACAF Nations League with ease, but this game is all about bragging rights, and to see who is the second-best team in North America by the end of the year. This is the last International break for the year which only adds to the pressure on Gregg Berhalters shoulders so he can end 2019 with a positive, or a convincing win. It will be very tough for the USMNT to play well as their best players (Pulisic, Bradley) aren’t available, which leaves more opportunity for creativity for the players and Berhalters coaching staff. Hopefully featuring newly American Sergino Dest in the lineup which will get American pants dripping. But the USMNT offense will be lacking in everything but I do think they can pull of a 1-0 win against their northern Neighbors.
Wag Out
