The United States are set to close out their winter training camp with a match against Canada at the StubHub Center in California, a match that will hopefully be as entertaining as it will be informative about the state of the USMNT's depth.
USA vs. Canada 2016: Time, TV schedule and team news
The USMNT’s winter “Camp Cupcake” training camp is almost over, but there’s one more test to get through to see how it’s gone.
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While the rivalry between the US and Canadian mens’ teams isn’t as fierce as it is between the women, this should still be a fairly hard-fought match that will be a good test to the reserve-heavy side that Jurgen Klinsmann will be fielding. The chance to examine the younger options at several areas of the USMNT depth chart is a valuable one for Klinsmann, especially as the national team enters a key phase of their better players starting to age and decline heading into new rounds of World Cup qualification. If some of the players Klinsmann starts Friday impress, they’ll be given chances to become a regular member of the USMNT rotation for years to come.
Key players to watch
- Kellyn Acosta -- The young FC Dallas defender acquitted himself well against Iceland, and looks to be in line for another start on Friday night. Canada’s front line doesn’t quite post the same challenge as Iceland’s, which should provide Acosta more chances to get forward and help out the USMNT attack, something they need more of from their fullbacks.
- Lee Nguyen -- It took far too long, but Nguyen finally seems to have earned a place in the national team after several solid performances. A game against Canada could be a chance to see how well he can take over a game, something the USMNT needs more of from their more advanced midfielders.
- Wil Trapp -- A deeper midfielder but still a potentially solid playmaker, Trapp should get a good run at some point in this match. If he performs well, he can provide an interesting and valuable option to Klinsmann as he tries to assemble more well-balanced midfields in the future.
- Ethan Finlay -- The USMNT needs more players who can work effectively in wide areas, and Finlay is one of their better young options at the moment. He’s not a traditional winger, but he uses his skillset well to get the job done, especially when it comes to supporting his fellow attackers. He’s not quite ready for a full-time national team role yet, but if he comes off the bench, we can get a good feel for what kind of role he can play in the meantime.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET
Venue: StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. - English), Univision Deportes, UniMas (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 1, 3, 5 (Canada)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S. - English), Univision Deportes, Fubo TV (U.S. - Spanish)
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