After recently becoming a Canadian citizen I was intrigued by this Nations League match. Only a month prior Canada beat the USA in Toronto therefore this age old rivalry was always going t be heated when the team met again.

John Herdman set his team up in a 442 diamond vs Gregg Berhalter’s 4231 US shape. The Canadians got off to a shocker conceding froma corner after just two minutes with some awful defending at the back post. This set the theme for the match.

The USA looked to exploit Canadas diamond. They did this through

• Switching play which moved diamond and created wide overloads

• Exploited Canadas full backs in Transition who were extremely high

• Canada failed to provide adequate cover for advancing full backs therefore very vulnerable

• USA looked to double up on Canadian full backs who provided width. This forced Canadians sideways and backwards. Full backs needed support

• Quick counter attacking football

Tactically I felt John Herdman got this one wrong. Going 3-0 down Canada continued to play the same and were so vulnerable as full backs Davies and Laryea were exposed especially on turnover of the ball. A solution would be to have one full back stay and tuck in or keeping another midfield player back. But away from home in a big game Canada were wide open and the score could have been more.

For the USA they played well capitalising on some very poor Canadian defending. Alphonso Davies at left back stirred a controversial topic, as he’s certainly Canadas best attacking threat. Personally he needed to be playing further up and would have benefitted with support. Many times Canada relied on him winning his 1v1 but the fact USA doubled up on him, left Davies very isolated. This is where the manager tried something which is fine, however he needed to recognise it was not working and needed to change his tactics.

This was a big win for the USA as they reclaim the bragging rights, but it leaves Herdman and Canada going back to basics. In a game like that you can’t be left that exposed!