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Canada vs USA: Previewing the Americans Chances Before Their Friendly

Andrew Jordan

It has been a little more than 10 months since Jurgen Klinsmann took over the managerial position with the United States national team. During this stretch, the Americans have reinvented their entire style of play by moving from a reactive system to a proactive system, similar to the German national team when Klinsmann was the coach.

This system has highlighted some highs and lows of the American program. After a slow start, the USA had an impressive 3-2 win at Slovenia and carried that momentum to a February win in Italy. Following a 5-1 win against Scotland, the Yanks were humiliated by Brazil by a 4-1 score.

That score line is misleading. The Yanks should have registered at least one, if not more goals. But Brazil's impressive attack worked wonders against the Yanks' defense, especially on the counter attack.

Tonight, the United States will take to the pitch in Toronto to face Canada. These neighbors have faced each other plenty of times before, but the United States have been particularly dominant against their northern neighbors. In their last 14 meetings, the Yanks are 8-0-6.

The last time that Canada defeated the Unites States was in 1985. This is the first time that the Yanks are playing north of the border since a 1997 World Cup qualifier.

This encounter will be the final match for both sides before the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying. On June 8, the Americans will host Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa, while Canada will travel to Cuba.

Panama were eliminated early in the 2011 Gold Cup to Panama. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Once the match starts, the United States will see an opponent that will be like many of the others that they will encounter on their way towards qualification. Canada is not the most skilled side in the world, evidenced by their FIFA World Ranking of 75, the ninth-highest in CONCACAF.

Canada has only a few well-known players, such as Dwayne De Rosario, Simeon Jackson and Atiba Hutchinson.

The United States, meanwhile, has much better players than Canada, including the likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley. But talent alone doesn't win matches. The Yanks will need to use this match as a way to determine what their squad will look like during their two upcoming qualifiers.

Defensively, there will be questions over who will start alongside Carlos Bocanegra. Oguchi Onyewu did not have a strong performance against Brazil, notably getting called for a handball, which led to the first goal of the match. Either Clarence Goodson or Geoff Cameron will likely get the start next to the captain.

There is also no idea who will play alongside Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones in central midfield. The three-man central midfield has worked well for the Yanks, especially against Scotland. Maurice Edu did not play his best against Brazil, but Jose Torres has not exactly been a world-beater.

Hopefully, this match will be the first one that sees Dempsey and Donovan starting together. Both players got their first opportunity to play together since the start of Klinsmann's reign during the final 30 minutes against Brazil. The two American attackers paired up to create some strong chances, but they couldn't score.

Bradley is currently in the best form of his life. Gary Bogdon/Getty Images

Terence Boyd has continued to make positive strides with his game, but it is unlikely that he will start now that Jozy Altidore will finally join the squad after being held back by AZ Alkmaar.

If Altidore continues his strong play from this past season and that creativity continues from Dempsey and Donovan, Canada will have their hands full from start to finish.

This will be the first Canadian national team match that takes place in Toronto against the Americans in 43 years. Unfortunately, I don't see a way that Canada will stop this American attack.

Prediction: Canada 0 United States 2 

Follow me on Twitter @Andrew_Jordan

   

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