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In a third-place match neither expected to be in, Canada defeated the U.S. men’s national team 2-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Jonathan David scored the winning goal in the 59th minute. Canada led 1-0 on a goal by Tani Oluwaseyi in the 27th before Patrick Agyemang tied it in the 35th.

The U.S. won the first three Nations League titles but were humbled 1-0 by Panama on Thursday just prior to Canada, a pre-tournament favorite, losing 2-0 to Mexico. The championship match was later on Sunday.

A lackluster effort against the Panamanians left the media and U.S. fans alike wondering where the program is headed under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has a 5-3-0 record since replacing Gregg Berhalter, mindful that the 2026 World Cup is now 445 days away.

Pochettino made five lineup changes from the Panama match, with Max Arfsten and Diego Luna each making their first appearances in official competition and Agyemang making his first start in a competitive match.

The moves paid dividends after Oluwaseyi’s score, his first international goal in 11 matches.

Agyemang equalized after a clinical build-up with Tim Weah finding Luna on the left wing. He patiently waited for Agyemang to move into space for the pass to set up his third goal in four matches.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch was issued a red card in the 54th minute arguing a non-penalty call when Arfsten challenged David on a breakaway and went down. Replays showed David slipped without being touched.

David got revenge to take the lead with a cutback followed by a strike from the top of the box to the left corner.

Dayne St. Clair made his only save on a Luna chip at the left post in the 85th minute.

Combined with a 2-1 win in a friendly in September, this was the first time Canada has consecutive wins vs. the U.S. since victories in a 1980 World Cup qualifier and a 1985 friendly.

–Field Level Media