On one hand, the opening 25 minutes – which included conceding the deciding goal after 20 seconds – were disastrous.
That being said, last Sunday’s match was the first of at least 16 high-profile Concacaf games for Canada from now until the end of World Cup qualifying.
Through three games, Canada are averaging 0.69 open-play expected goals per 90 minutes, according to data from Opta.
Down two forwards in Cyle Larin and Ayo Akinola, who suffered injuries against the US, Herdman faces a couple of dilemmas.
That’s because Herdman is saddled with a crucial decision: Does he switch from the 3-5-2 – in a knockout match – to deploy Tajon Buchanan as a winger? It could behoove Junior Hoilett, Theo Corbeanu and Tyler Pasher, too.
However Canada approach the game tactically, it’s almost certain they will welcome back Stephen Eustaquio to the midfield after he was suspended for the loss to the US.
That could be the key to victory for either side.
In turn, though, more ball-progressing midfielders mean a stronger attack.