Another trip north of the border, another result to lament for the U.S. men's national team.
Cyle Larin scored in the seventh minute, and Canada made it stand up until Sam Adekugbe scored an insurance goal at the death, reinforcing its place atop Concacaf's World Cup qualifying standings with a 2–0 win over the U.S. that puts the nation one step closer to its first World Cup since 1986. The U.S.'s last defeat to Canada came a little over two years ago in the Concacaf Nations League, a 2–0 loss in Toronto that served as a low point for this U.S. group and a launchpad for Canada. While Sunday's defeat at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, isn't completely detrimental to the U.S. in its attempt to reach Qatar, it does shrink the margin for error going forward.
Entering the day, Canada topped the table, a point ahead of the U.S. and two points clear of Mexico. The top three teams at the end of the Concacaf Octagonal automatically qualify for the World Cup, while fourth place goes into an intercontinental playoff for one final berth. Canada remains unbeaten (6-0-4), while the U.S. (5-2-3) will do some scoreboard watching later Sunday to see what needs to be done in the four matches that remain.
