April 20th, 2023
The Canadian Championship kicked off this week with CF Montréal the only MLS side playing at this stage of the tournament. The US Open Cup has begun but MLS teams will join in the 3rd round, which kicks off next week. Instead, the MLS was well represented in the Continental Clásico where Mexico played an international friendly against USA.
MLS talent was on full display tonight as USMNT took on Mexico in Arizona. The US team featured 19 players from the MLS, with 10 in the starting XI. The offense was led by Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders). The holding midfield was filled by James Sands (NYCFC) and Kellyn Acosta (LAFC) while the back line consisted of Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (LAFC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), and DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami). Sean Johnson (Toronto FC) held down the goal.
This game was a friendly scheduled outside of the official FIFA window but these teams are rivals, both eyeing to be the top of CONCACAF. It doesn't matter what the prize, these games are always a battle. The first half was tight with little chances both ways. Mexico fired two shots towards goal with neither hitting the target and USA didn't get a single shot towards the goal. Mexico took advantage of a bad turnover by Aaron Long and Uriel Antuna scored on the breakaway early in the second. Mexico seemed to be in control of the game and even hit the crossbar, only for USA to come back on a break and Jesús Ferreira finished off a good play to tie the game up. The play was started by Sergiño Dest who had a great run through midfield to get the ball forward quickly. The matched ended in a 1-1 draw as the USMNT extended their unbeaten streak against Mexico to 5 games. The Clásico acted as a chance to stand out for many MLS stars to try break into the team regularly and potentially play in the 2026 World Cup.
A few game notes:
Atlanta United Defender, Caleb Wiley, made his first senior team appearance as he came on as a sub with a few minutes remaining.
Aidan Morris of the Columbus Crew came on as a sub and looked energetic and dangerous. A player to look out for.
An interesting player to follow is USMNT defender Joshua Wynder (17), who plays for Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. Wynder was called up for the Continental Clásico but didn't get any game time. Louisville are rumored to have turned down multiple MLS offers for Wynder as a move to Benfica is on the radar when he turns 18.
Does Phoenix need an MLS team? The 55,000 people in attendance might have something to say about that. Great atmosphere for an international friendly.
14 teams put their hat in the ring to win the Voyageurs Cup, awarded to the winner of Canada's domestic Cup Competition. The Vancouver Whitecaps are the current holders with the winner of the Cup earning a place in the CONCACAF Champions League. The teams in this years competition include the three Canadian MLS teams (Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and CF Montréal), the 8 Canadian Premier League teams (Atlético Ottawa, Cavalry FC, Forge FC, HFX Wanderers, Pacific FC, Valour FC, Vancouver FC, and York United FC), and three qualified teams from the lower divisions (FC Laval, TSS Rovers FC, and Vaughan SC).
CF Montréal are not having a good season in MLS. One of the worst of all time to be more accurate. The Canadian Championship is fresh competition where they can find some kind of form that was present in so many games last season. They got their shot on Tuesday when they faced off with lower division Vaughan SC. This is a game that CF Montréal needed to win and win BIG! You were one of the best teams in MLS a few months ago and they're in the second (maybe third?) Canadian division. Well Montréal managed to get the win 2-0, which isn't the margin they would hope but it's the first win in awhile and you just can't complain with that. Now onto the quarter-final round of the tournament, Montréal have to get by the mighty Toronto FC. The all-MLS matchup will be the marquee game of this stage, as one powerhouse team is set to make an exit.
Other winners include Forge, Atlético Ottawa, York United, and TSS Rover FC. York United are the unlucky team who draw the cup holders, Vancouver Whitecaps, in the Quarter-finals.
