Political tensions, another ingredient of the Canada-Mexico match in the US for the League of Nations

Canada has become a tough opponent for Mexico in recent years. That won't change next month when the two meet in the Nations League semi-finals.

In fact, there will be an additional ingredient during the match in the United States: political tension between the countries of North America.

Canadian national team coach Jesse Marsch on Wednesday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire since taking office in January to see Canada become the nation's 51st state.

“I am ashamed of the arrogance and disdain we have shown to one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies,” Marsch, who is American, said during a conference in Inglewood, California. “I find the speech about the 51st state baffling and, frankly, insulting.”

A couple of weeks ago in Montreal, during an ice hockey game between Canada and the United States in the Four Nations tournament, the American anthem was booed and three scuffles broke out during just nine seconds of the game.

For a repeat of the two countries' clash, the United States would have to eliminate Panama in one semifinal and Canada would have to eliminate Mexico in the other.

The matches are scheduled for March 20 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

“For Canada, these international tournaments mean something different now,” Marsch added. “I know this will boost our team.”

A Canadian team with extra motivation is bad news for Mexico, which has gone three consecutive games without being able to beat its rival from the north of the continent, including two in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

“We have already talked about how difficult it is to play against Canada, they, like us, are recovering the pride of playing for their national team,” said Mexican coach Javier Aguirre. “For us, every game we play against Canada is a good challenge.”

Aguirre is the latest bet by the leaders to get the Mexican national team to react. El Tri is experiencing a crisis that erupted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when it was eliminated in the first round for the first time since Argentina 1978.

Following the departure of Argentine coach Gerardo Martino, three other coaches have taken over in a span of just two years. The latest is veteran Aguirre, who is in his third stint with the Mexican national team.

With “El Vasco” on the bench, the Mexicans tied a goalless match against Canada in September.

The United States is the favorite to win the match against Panama and also to win the tournament, which it has won three times in as many opportunities.

Although Trump has also launched darts against Mexicans, especially against migrants, Aguirre preferred to remain politically correct in his statements.

“We have to focus on the sporting issue, I don’t want to enter into an area that doesn’t concern me and doesn’t belong to me,” said Aguirre, who is the son of Spaniards who emigrated to Mexico. “It’s not easy to leave your country, my parents suffered during the post-war period. I have great respect for the Mexicans who live here.”

Although Aguirre knows that the Americans are the rival to beat, he is also aware that he must first overcome a difficult Canada.

“We will try to prevent the United States from winning the fourth (Nations League),” said Aguirre. “But first we have Canada, which is a rival I respect a lot and it is difficult.”

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