After an error on a throw-in, Mexico’s Raúl Jimenez easily slotted past Dayne St. Clair, giving Mexico a 1-0 lead they never looked back. It harkened back to times all too familiar for Canada: Faltering in overexcitement amid high-pressure moments rather than approaching with poise and experience.

Canada and Mexico, both hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States, continue their fine-tuning ahead of next summer's competition at the Concacaf Nations League, facing each other in the semifinals of the competition on Thursday.

Playing for third is not what the U.S. nor Canada had in mind, but their Nations League finale can still serve a useful purpose.

From creativity in attack to freer fullbacks, how can Mauricio Pochettino change things to stop America's slide?

USMNT sphere once Pochettino's men suffered their last-minute loss to Panama — a dominant but finish-free performance that is a precursor not to a final vs Mexico but a third-place game against old pal Jesse Marsch and Canada.