Mexicovs.Canada

The Canucks hung on to defeat the USA in a friendly this past weekend 2-1, while the Mexicans came away with a 3-0 triumph over New Zealand.

Match preview

Javier Aguirre began his third stint as Mexican manager on a high note, as his side ended a two-match winless run on Saturday.

Their three goals scored were as many as this side netted in their four previous matches combined, winning by a three-goal margin for the second time this year.

Mexico have conceded just once in their last four competitive fixtures, with all of their victories this year coming in the United States.

It has been over a year since this team last won consecutive games, claiming three successive knockout triumphs at the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup to lift the trophy.

They enter this contest on an eight-match winless run across all competitions versus North American opponents, which dates back over three years.

The last time they faced the Canucks in the United States was at the 2021 Gold Cup when El Tri claimed a 2-1 triumph with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time of that semi-final at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

It took them over 65 years, but at long last, the Canadians claimed a victory against their arch-rival Americans, with their manager Jesse Marsch, correctly predicting the score in a pre-match interview.

The Canadian press created their share of turnovers on Saturday, with the visitors capitalising on a pair of US giveaways while surviving a strong second-half push by the Yanks.

Over their past two games, this squad have done a better job at converting their chances in the attacking third, with a combined four goals, two more than they managed in their first six games under the former Leeds United boss.

Under Marsch, this side have never lost when scoring the opening goal, doing so three times since the former US assistant coach took charge.

On Tuesday, the Canucks have a chance to win consecutive matches in 90 minutes for the first time since claiming three successive victories in between March-June 2023 at the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada are undefeated in their last five matches played on American soil across all competitions against CONCACAF nations, winning two of those encounters.

The last time they triumphed versus El Tri outside of Canada was during the 2000 Gold Cup quarter-finals when Les Rouges equalised seven minutes from the end and scored a golden goal two minutes into extra-time at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

Mexico friendly form:

W

L

L

W

Mexico form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

W

Canada friendly form:

Canada form (all competitions):

Team News

EL Tri were without Edson Alvarez for the match against New Zealand as he is still recovering from a knee injury sustained at the Copa America.

Jesus Gallardo can reach the century mark for caps if he features on Tuesday, Cesar Montes is two appearances away from 50, while Alex Padilla is still seeking his first senior cap.

Orbelin Pineda put his side in front after just five minutes against the All Whites, Cesar Huerta netted in the second half, as did Luis Romo, who also collected his 50th cap, while Raul Rangel picked up a clean sheet in just his second appearance between the sticks.

On Saturday, Nathan Saliba and Stephen Afrifa earned their first senior caps for Canada, both coming on as substitutes, leaving Niko Sigur and Jonathan Sirois as the only uncapped players selected for this window.

Alistair Johnston can reach the half-century mark for caps with Canada should he feature in this game, Cyle Larin can make his 75th appearance, while Jonathan Osorio can collect his 80th cap, which would put him in a tie with Milan Borjan for sixth all-time in Canucks history.

Jacob Shaffelburg scored his fourth goal as a member of Les Rouges this past weekend, while Jonathan David is now the joint-record-goalscorer for the Canadian men, equalling Larin with his 29th for the national team.

Mexico possible starting lineup:

Rangel; Reyes, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Romo, Lira; Flores, Pineda, Vega; Gimenez

Canada possible starting lineup:

St. Clair; Johnston, Bombito, Waterman, Davies; Laryea, Eustaquio, Millar, Shaffelburg; David, Oluwaseyi

We say: Mexico 2-2 Canada

Both sides look rejuvenated under new managers, who have given them a lot more freedom going forward, which is why we project a spirited affair with multiple goes for each.

Previews by email