Team USA faced off with Team Canada last night at the World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, New York, and for a minute it seemed like USA could pull of the upset. Canada, as would be expected, came in as the heavy favorite, ruling over the world of box lacrosse for what feels like forever. The game last night was intense, and for one fleeting instant, it felt like the U.S. just might pull off that upset. You sure could have cut the excitement with a knife at one point with the score tied 8-8. Had Team USA pulled out the win, it would have sent shockwaves throughout the box lacrosse community. Canada has practically owned every gold medal handed out in the sport. But eventually, Canada was too strong. Which begs the question: why is the gap so huge between the two sides in box lacrosse?
The reason begins with Canada’s longtime love affair with the sport. Box lacrosse is not just a game in Canada; it is the nation’s summer sport. Kids grow up playing it in local leagues, sharpening their skills in the fast environment of close quarters that the game demands. It’s part of the culture. The development system here in Canada is outstanding, so players began box careers from a very early age. From youth leagues up through the pros, there’s a very well-defined path for a player to develop and progress.
This gives Canadian players an enormous advantage as they are already miles in front in experience as they reach their prime. The story, however, is pretty different in the U.S. While lacrosse is rapidly growing in popularity, field lacrosse takes all the action. Box lacrosse hasn’t yet taken hold, and most American players are not introduced to the game until later on, usually through the field game, which plays much differently. Box lacrosse leagues aren’t as common in the U.S., and most of the best players don’t really focus on the indoor game until well into their careers and often just as a way to get better in the field game. By then, Canadian pros have already devoted years to mastering the intricacies of box: making fast decisions in tight spaces and embracing the physicality involved.
Another important determining factor is the professional scene. The tradition of lacrosse runs deep in the box game, and it certainly seems to bear out in the NLL. Most rosters of the league are made up of Canadian players who bring years of high-level experience. And while there are NLL teams in the United States, professional box lacrosse just doesn’t have near the presence or support as it does within our northern border. The infrastructure of youth programs through to professional opportunities is not nearly as developed in the States.
Without that, it’s tough for American players to get as much exposure or experience similar to their contemporaries up north. So, when Team USA faces off against Team Canada, they’re up against talent, yes, but a culture steeped in box lacrosse. For generations, the Canadians have been the ones playing this game, and that experience gives them a major edge. The U.S. has closed the gap somewhat in recent years and is more competitive, but the gap is still there, and it’s tough to close. Where ultimately the separation between Team USA and Team Canada in box lacrosse is closing, it deals with more than just talent: history, culture, and experience. Until the U.S. builds up a stronger infrastructure in box lacrosse and more players grow up playing the indoor game, the continuing dominance of Canada is very likely to occur. But as last night showed, Team USA is getting closer, and who knows-maybe an upset isn’t as far off as we think.
