Canada – United States sports rivalries
Encyclopedia
Because of their proximity and similar sporting cultures, Canada
and United States
are frequent rivals in a wide variety of international sports.
. For most of the mid-twentieth century, Canada had much more skilled teams and tended to judge itself only against the Soviet Union. The Americans were only able to beat Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics
. However during the 1991 Canada Cup
, American defenseman Gary Suter
cross-checked and injured Canadian superstar Wayne Gretzky
, creating a feeling of animosity towards the US team among Canadian fans. In 1996, the United States - for the only time in its history - won a best-on-best
men's tournament by defeating Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey
on Canadian soil in Montreal, and Canadians now viewed the American team as its main rival. Canada had revenge by beating the US for the Gold at the 2002 Olympics
on American soil in Salt Lake City. Most recently Canada defeated the US in the gold medal game at the 2010 Olympics
on Canadian soil in Vancouver.
, however the United States has historically been the stronger side. The overall record in 14-0 in favor of the United States, and American soccer fans generally look to Mexico as the main rival, and not Canada.
A Canadian club, Galt FC, did beat an American club, Christian Brothers College
, for the Gold at the 1904 Summer Olympics
in St. Louis, however.
The US under-23 team defeated Canada to take the bronze medal at the 1999 Pan-Am Games
on Canadian soil in Winnipeg. While Canada's under-20 team defeated the US to win their group of the 2003 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament
in Charleston, South Carolina.
on Canadian soil in Edmonton, with the United States winning. The two nation's senior sides met in the third place match of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup on American soil in Carson, California. As well Canada's senior team beat the US under-20 team in the final of the 2008 Cyprus Cup
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
are frequent rivals in a wide variety of international sports.
Cricket
While cricket is not among the most popular sports in either country, they have the distinction of having played against each other in the first ever international match of any sport in 1844.Ice hockey
For both genders and at all ages groups, Canada - US games are among the most important in international hockey. Since the decline of the Soviet Union in 1991, this rivalry has certainly been one of the most emotional.Men's
The two teams have been close rivals since the early days of international hockey, facing each other for the gold medal at the first Olympic hockey tournament in 1920Ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Ice hockey was introduced to the Olympic Games at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. The matches were played between April 23 and April 29, 1920. All matches took place in the Palais de Glace d'Anvers . The rink measured 56 to 18 meters . All games were played with seven players on each side,...
. For most of the mid-twentieth century, Canada had much more skilled teams and tended to judge itself only against the Soviet Union. The Americans were only able to beat Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1960 Winter Olympics
At the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California, United States, one ice hockey event was held: men's Ice Hockey. This tournament was also counted as IIHF World Championship and IIHF European Championship. Games were held at Blyth Arena.Canada, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and...
. However during the 1991 Canada Cup
1991 Canada Cup
The 1991 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played in September 1991. The finals took place in Montreal on September 14 and Hamilton, Ontario on September 16, and were won by Canada. The Canadians defeated the USA in a two game sweep, to win the fifth and final Canada...
, American defenseman Gary Suter
Gary Suter
Gary Lee Suter is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He played his junior hockey for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, high school hockey at Culver Military Academy and then moved on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
cross-checked and injured Canadian superstar Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, creating a feeling of animosity towards the US team among Canadian fans. In 1996, the United States - for the only time in its history - won a best-on-best
Best-on-best
"Best-on-best" is an ice hockey term describing a competition that involves most of the elite level of players as possible. Usually it refers to an international men's tournament that allows professional players.-History:...
men's tournament by defeating Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey
1996 World Cup of Hockey
The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
on Canadian soil in Montreal, and Canadians now viewed the American team as its main rival. Canada had revenge by beating the US for the Gold at the 2002 Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
on American soil in Salt Lake City. Most recently Canada defeated the US in the gold medal game at the 2010 Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
on Canadian soil in Vancouver.
Junior
The two countries are perennial rivals at the World Junior Hockey Championships for players under 21 years of age.Women's
These two teams have faced each other in the championship game of nearly every Olympics and World Championships since the beginnings of international play. Each team is the other's only major rival and neither team rarely loses to any other country.Men's
The rivalry between the two teams was the subject of a Oscar-nominated 2005 documentary film Murderball.Men's
The The two clubs frequently face each other in the Gold CupGold Cup
Gold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
, however the United States has historically been the stronger side. The overall record in 14-0 in favor of the United States, and American soccer fans generally look to Mexico as the main rival, and not Canada.
A Canadian club, Galt FC, did beat an American club, Christian Brothers College
Christian Brothers College
Christian Brothers College can refer to one of several schools:* Christian Brothers College, Adelaide* Christian Brothers College, Bulawayo* Christian Brothers College, Burwood* Christian Brothers College, Cork* Christian Brothers College, Monkstown Park...
, for the Gold at the 1904 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1904 Summer Olympics
At the 1904 Summer Olympics, a football event was contested. Only three club teams competed. No medals were awarded at the time, but the IOC subsequently awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals and upgrade the status of the contests to an official event....
in St. Louis, however.
The US under-23 team defeated Canada to take the bronze medal at the 1999 Pan-Am Games
Football at the 1999 Pan American Games
The thirteenth edition of the Men's Football Tournament at the Pan American Games was held in Winnipeg, Canada from July 23 to August 7, 1999. Ten U-23 teams competed, with title defender Argentina missing...
on Canadian soil in Winnipeg. While Canada's under-20 team defeated the US to win their group of the 2003 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament
2003 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament
The 2003 CONCACAF U-20 Qualifying Tournament was held to determine the four CONCACAF entrants into the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, which was hosted in United Arab Emirates.-Group A:---------Standings:* Panama and Mexico qualified....
in Charleston, South Carolina.
Women's
The two teams are more closely matched than in the men's game, providing for more close finishes. Notably the two nations faced each other in the final of the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship
The 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship was held from August 17 to September 1. It was the first sanctioned youth tournament for women put together by FIFA. The tournament was hosted by Canada. FIFA granted the tournament to Canada in March 2001. Three cities hosted the tournament,...
on Canadian soil in Edmonton, with the United States winning. The two nation's senior sides met in the third place match of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup on American soil in Carson, California. As well Canada's senior team beat the US under-20 team in the final of the 2008 Cyprus Cup
Cyprus Cup
The Cypriot Cup or Cyprus Coca Cola Cup is the main cup competition in Cypriot football, run by the Cyprus Football Association. It began in 1934, the same season with the Cypriot Championship. It is the second most important competition for Cypriot club teams. The sponsor of the competition is...
.