KANSAS CITY, Kansas.- After the United States defeated Canada, 1-0, to top Group B in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup tournament, it was a bit difficult to tell by the coaches’ reactions that neither was going home and both were moving on to the knockout round. 

Canada coach John Herdman was devastated by the chances his team set up not coming to fruition, while U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter pointed to the recent Euro 2020 final as an example of the difficulties involved when trying to hold onto an early lead.  “It was an amazing start to the game and then it was a lot of suffering,” Berhalter said. 

“They were dominant in the first 25 minutes, but from then, I think Canada took good control,” Herdman said.  Canada may have put the top teams in the region on notice with their performance. Canadian defender Liam Fraser specifically believed the team is now on the same level with any in Concacaf.  “The gap is no longer there,” said Fraser.  “We controlled the game.”

“One hundred percent, this team can compete with any in Concacaf,” said goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

One particular moment in the second half, when the otherwise superlative Tajon Buchanan missed on a shot attempt that swerved just past the upper 90 of the goalpost, had Herdman shaking his head with “if-only” regret about the toll the heat and blistering pace of the match took on players. 

“Tajon, with cramps in his [hamstrings], was still willing to push through,” Herdman noted.  “If he was fresher, that goes top corner.” 

Buchanan himself put partial blame for the U.S. goal on his own shoulders and pointed out the weather affected all the players. “We’ve got to take the positives from this game and move on to the quarters.”

Herdman was able to look past his disappointment of the loss to the U.S. to reason that if Canada players are able to channel their frustration over the result into focused energy for the quarterfinal matchup, losing might be a blessing in disguise. “It will keep their feet on the ground and it will keep them hungry,” said Herdman. 

In the end, the U.S. win came down to one moment 20 seconds into the game. 

“With the system we play, 3-5-2, with the wingbacks, [Berhalter] always wants us to get in the box,” said goalscorer Shaq Moore. “I was able to get to the back post and tap it in. I’m definitely happy about that.”

Whether feeling happy or frustrated, most importantly for both coaches, their teams remain alive in the hunt for a Gold Cup title.