Will CanMNT 🇨🇦 vs. USMNT 🇺🇸 rivalry be more HEATED now than ever? 🔥

Will the rivalry between the Canadian men's national team and the United States become even more heated in the wake of the current political climate between the two nations?

It's the question we're debating on OneSoccer Today, as the two nations prepare for a possible meeting in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals, with Canada first taking on Mexico and the U.S. battling it out with Panama later this month. Wins there would see the two rivals meet in a rematch of the 2023 Concacaf Nations League final, which the U.S. won 2-0.

But, with rising tensions due to tariffs issued by newly-re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump, and in the aftermath of comments made by CanMNT head coach Jesse Marsch regarding 'ridiculous rhetoric' about Canada becoming the 51st state, this match-up has also taken on a much more serious tone.

Canadian fans at stadiums and arenas across the country have boo'd the playing of the U.S. national anthem en masse; the NHL's 4 Nations tournament saw Canada and the United States duke it out in the final, in a game that saw Canadians rally together and celebrate victory – not just on the ice, but as a sovereign nation with its own proud history and identity. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated, "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game" after the game ended, too.

So, with another potential sporting final on the cards between Canada and the United States, what do Canadian footballers Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio make of it all? It's a question our Kristian Jack posed them on Monday.

Their answers: Clearly focused on the task at hand. Distractions otherwise aren't on the radar.

"This is obviously a big opportunity for us – it's a major tournament, and we have an opportunity to win a trophy," Laryea offered. "Everything we've spoken about for the last 4, 5, nearly 6 years is about winning a trophy together with this group, so this is a great opportunity for us to finally get to that point... and we're more than ready."

"You gotta get through step one (vs. Mexico) first, and it'll be a tough one in LA," Osorio added. "It's going to be an amazing atmosphere to play in front of, and the guys are going to relish that. We're confident with the way everyone's performing at their clubs, the state of the players and where we're at. It's going to be an exciting game."