Last month, the 4 Nations Challenge captivated audiences, showcasing Canada’s stunning 3-2 win against the U.S. in the final, which drew 16.1 million viewers in North America. This event stands as the second-most viewed hockey clash of the century, further igniting the intense rivalry between the two nations.

Canadian fans had previously voiced their displeasure by booing the American national anthem during the tournament and even instigated fights during an earlier matchup.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “You can’t take our country and you can’t take our game,” in a pointed response to remarks made by President Donald Trump.

In a press briefing for the Concacaf Nations League, Canada’s men’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch expressed his aspiration to channel this high-energy emotion into his squad’s performance. He mentioned communicating with hockey coach Jon Cooper about the significance of the rivalry.

Marsch shared, “I believe the heightened competitive environment surrounding international games can drive our performance. My goal is to instill a Canadian hockey mentality within our squad. We aim to embody strength and resilience.” In reference to the historical rivalry, he is optimistic about using this advantage as the team prepares to meet Mexico in their upcoming match.