THROWBACK THURSDAY | Canada Defeats U.S. In 1990 North American Nations Cup
The United States-Canada rivalry will be back on the field for the first time in more than three years when the men’s national teams meet on Friday, Feb. 5.
Backed by several NASL players – Julian de Guzman, Nik Ledgerwood, Mallan Roberts, and Tyson Farago – Canada will take on the U.S. at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
For Canada, though, the rivalry has been one sided. The squad has yet to beat the U.S. in a match since 1990 (in the North American Nations Cup contest). The match, however, isn’t considered official in the U.S. record books because the Americans used a split squad because of a friendly against Malta the day before (officially in U.S. Soccer’s records the last Canadian win, 2-0, was in 1985). Since that 1990 contest, Canada is 0W-6D-8L and last played against the U.S. on Jan. 29, 2013.
The North American Nations Cup was a tournament that returned in 1990 after a 41-year absence, and was short-lived between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. before the CONCACAF Gold Cup was created.
“Those were always our big rivals,” said Ian Bridge, who played for Canada 34 times. “It was a good tournament.”
Former NASL players such Bridge, who played for the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps, and Colin Miller (current FC Edmonton coach) played for Canada in the tournament, and both started against the U.S.
“Colin was a very determined, no-nonsense defender,” Bridge said of the Eddies’ coach. “You would have to work hard to get past him because you might be faster, but you weren’t tougher than he was – in fact there was no way you’d be tougher than him. He was a fun guy, both on and off the park.”
While not necessarily the United States’ first-choice team, there were several recognizable names, including Kasey Keller, Alexi Lalas, and Robin Fraser.
Canada took the lead in the 34th minute when forward John Catliff opened the scoring at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia.
“He was a very good attacking player for us over the years,” Bridge said of the goalscorer. “His career was cut short by a couple of bad knee injuries, but he was just a beast up front – really tough, old fashioned target striker and terrific with his head and a powerful shot with both feet.”
Catliff’s goal would prove to be the winner in the opening match of the three-team event.
“They were competitive, for sure,” Bridge said of matchups with the U.S. “They were our fiercest and toughest rival.
“I wouldn’t say it was a bitter rivalry, but very close as the two English-speaking teams in North America that were always fighting to get to the major competitions.”
Canada went on to win the event after Catliff fired in two more goals, this time against Mexico, in a 2-1 win. Bridge, however, wasn’t exactly able to celebrate the victory, leaving the match at the half after separating his shoulder.
“As captain I would’ve lifted the Cup, but the game against Mexico I separated my shoulder in the first half,” Bridge said. “I was on the bench at the end of the game, so I didn’t actually lift the Cup.”
Now, in a rare match against the U.S., Canada will aim to end its winless drought against its North American rivals as it prepares for home-and-home World Cup qualifiers against Mexico in late March. Canada has not qualified for the finals since 1986.
“They are always a big rival, and Canada has made good progress in recent months,” Bridge said. “If 1990 is the last time [for a win], that’s too long.”
