There will be a new chapter written in the growing rivalry between the USA and Canada men’s national teams after Sunday’s CONCACAF Nations League final, which is the first title showdown in their head-to-head history.
The USA are looking to repeat as champions of the competition after winning the inaugural edition in 2021, while Canada are seeking their first men’s trophy of any kind since 2000.
It’s hard to argue that these two neighbors aren’t the two best teams in the North American region given recent results: The USA won the Nations League, Gold Cup, and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16, while Canada topped the regional qualifying standings to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
The two countries are co-hosting the upcoming 2026 World Cup together with Mexico, and both will be eager to keep building momentum toward that tournament, where they will be under pressure to make a memorable run on home soil.
Winning the Nations League will also help set the tone for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament starting next weekend. Another showdown in the late rounds of that competition is a likelihood.
Below are the latest updates on the USA and Canada lineups for the Nations League final.
MORE: Stream USA vs. Canada live on Paramount+. Try it FREE!
What time does USA vs Canada start?
Although in some places the start time of the CONCACAF Nations League final is listed as 8:30 p.m. ET, U.S. Soccer confirmed that kickoff is precisely at 9:06 p.m. ET (6:06 p.m. PT).
- Date: Sunday, June 18
- Kickoff time: 9:06 p.m. ET / 6:06 p.m. PT
- Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
- City: Las Vegas, Nevada
The kickoff time allows for three hours between games, which is more than enough time in case the third-place match between Mexico and Panama needs extra time and penalty kicks.
MORE: International friendly results for the June 2023 window
USA vs Canada lineups
The biggest story surrounding the lineups is the absence of two shoo-in starters in Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest after they were shown red cards in the semifinal against Mexico. Both starred for the Americans in that semifinal and their absence will be felt.
On the Canada side, manager John Herdman did not give in to temptation to start 40-year-old Atiba Hutchinson in midfield in his final appearance for Canada’s national team. He came off the bench in the semifinal for the last 15 minutes of the match, and it remains to be seen if Herdman will give him one final cap.
Below are the confirmed starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
USA starting 11
Joe Scally slots in for Sergino Dest at right-back, though he will not be as influential in attack as the Dutch-born Dest. He is tasked with taking on Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, who does start for Canada.
Luca de la Torre projected to serve as Weston McKennie’s fill-in alongside Yunus Musah in central midfield, but instead it’s Brenden Aaronson as BJ Callaghan goes with a very attacking lineup.
Miles Robinson is withdrawn reportedly due to injury, although it’s not clear what his ailment is, and the former Syracuse man is still listed as available off the bench. Walker Zimmerman starts in his place.
USA confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1-Matt Turner (GK) — 19-Joe Scally, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 4-Chris Richards, 5-Antonee Robinson — 6-Yunus Musah, 11-Brenden Aaronson — 21-Tim Weah, 7-Gio Reyna, 10-Christian Pulisic — 20-Folarin Balogun.
USA subs (10): 13-Drake Callender (GK), 18-Sean Johnson (GK), 12-Miles Robinson, 23-Auston Trusty, 15-Johnny Cardoso, 16-Alan Sonora, 17-Alejandro Zendejas, 14-Luca de la Torre, 22-Taylor Booth, 9-Ricardo Pepi.
- Injured: None
- Suspended: Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie
Canada starting 11
Canada manager John Herdman was asked how many minutes superstar Alphonso Davies can play in the final given he has just returned from a long layoff due to a muscle injury, going 28 minutes in the semifinal vs. Panama.
“We’ll see [Sunday],” was Herdman’s coy response. But it’s hard to see Davies missing any minute of this one.”
That came true, as Davies started for Canada, leaving Joe Scally with a job to do. Tajon Buchanan is swapped for Jonathan Osorio, while Scott Kennedy slides into the defensive line for Steven Vitoria.
Canada confirmed lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 18-Milan Borjan (GK) — 2-Alistair Johnston, 4-Kamal Miller, 23-Scott Kennedy — 22-Richie Laryea, 8-Ismael Kone, 7-Stephen Eustaquio, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 19-Alphonso Davies — 17-Cyle Larin, 20-Jonathan David
Canada projected subs (12): 16-Tom McGill (GK), 1-Dayne St. Clair (GK), 14-Moise Bombito, 5-Steven Vitoria, 6-Dominick Zator, 3-Samuel Adekugbe, 13-Atiba Hutchinson, 11-Tajon Buchanan, 12-Victor Loturi, 15-David Wotherspoon, 9-Lucas Cavallini, 10-Junior Hoilett
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
A message from our captain, @AtibaHuthchinson:
“It has been an amazing 20 years putting on the jersey and representing our beautiful country. Now it’s time for me to hang up the boots after the game tomorrow.” #ThankYouAtiba
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) June 17, 2023
Watch USA vs Canada live stream, TV channel
The match will be televised and streamed in both the United States and Canada.
USA
- TV & streaming: Univision, TUDN, Fubo, Paramount+
The match will be televised in Spanish only on Univision and simulcast on TUDN.
Both those Spanish-language channels can be streamed on Fubo, which is available to new users on a free trial.
The English-language stream will be exclusively available on Paramount+, which also offers a free trial. The match will be preceded by a one-hour pregame show and one-hour postgame show.
Canada
- TV & streaming: Telus (Ch. 980), Fubo, OneSoccer site/app
In Canada, the OneSoccer telecast of the match can be found on Telus Channel 980.
The match will be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app.
