WASHINGTON, D.C. -- From a pure hockey standpoint, Team Canada is filthy rich in talent.But Team USA was built to steal that fame and fortune at the World Cup of Hockey.The two teams will square off in the round-robin portion of the best-on-best tournament on Sept. 20 at Torontos Air Canada Centre (8 p.m., ESPN). Theyve already split a pair of pre-tournament games in preparation for the World Cup, and their intense rivalry was on full display. The animosity is only going to increase once the puck officially drops.Team USA goalie Cory Schneider described Canada as arguably the best team in the tournament and said that having faced the Canadians in warm-up games will help the Americans.Playing against the best, prepares you the best, Schneider said.Is Canada really the better team, though?No.In terms of team concept, Team USA has the upper hand.Yes, I said it. Bring on the comments -- but just be ready for the I told you so when the tournament is over. Last week I picked Team Sweden to win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but this isnt about who is going to win this tournament. Its strictly between Team USA and Canada.The American roster was built to slow down Canada. Every team has some level of depth in this tournament, but Team USA has the right kind of depth. Players have accepted their roles, and the management group quickly gave this team an identity when the roster was formed. The chemistry has been evident during training camp. Ive been covering Team Sweden and Finland, but now that Im back on American soil for games at Verizon Center on Tuesday (Team USA vs. Finland, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Wednesday (Team Sweden vs. Team Europe, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3), I want to give my impressions of the U.S. team -- whether you want them or not.I understand there are some extremely talented players --?Tyler Johnson, Phil Kessel, Kevin Shattenkirk and Justin Faulk -- who were not selected to the roster, but the vision of Team USAs management group, including coach John Tortorella, has built a team that can beat Canada.I like the fact that many teams in this tournament have focused on small-area games during practice, including Team USA. Those drills help players make quicker decisions in tight situations, and because the talent level throughout this tournament is off the charts, most of the goals scored will be in the dirty areas. Thats where size and skill will be a factor for the Americans.Were trying to get more work underneath the hashmarks so theres pressure and theres some combativeness within it, explained Tortorella. Its just, how much do you give them? Small-ice games are a very important part of hockey, especially early on when youre with your guys.Canada will score goals -- theres no denying that. If youre wondering how Team USA will produce offense against the Canadians, it has to come from secondary scoring. We know Patrick Kane is going to score, but others on the roster will need to produce, including the likes of Max Pacioretty, Justin Abdelkader, Ryan Kesler and T.J. Oshie. Team USA cant make any mistakes when facing Canada. When they play for real, its going to be fast-paced and its going to be fun to watch.Canada is loaded with plenty of two-way players, but if the U.S. can establish its speed early and maintain that structure and physicality, theres no reason not to think the Americans can beat Canada. Team USA isnt about to completely pound the Canadians into submission or try to beat them in one-on-one situations. The mindset is to keep the momentum and not allow Canadas best players to reach the elite game level.Team USA has to limit Canadas offensive zone possession time. If the U.S. makes a mistake in its own end, Canada will make it count.Im glad we played Canada, Tortorella said, because they are a really good team, probably the best team in the tournament right now. ... I think it really gave us a focus on that we just werent close enough to the puck on our breakout, so we didnt come out clean. We just werent supporting enough, and we certainly werent close enough or really even gave ourselves a chance to forecheck because we got stubborn at the blue line in trying to make too many plays instead of putting it behind them.For this story, I reached out to a few different hockey personnel on both sides of the border. I polled players from other teams in this tournament, and the majority believe Team USA will beat Team Canada.Both teams are talented, probably the best two teams in the tournament, said one current NHL player who is neither American nor Canadian. But the identity and chemistry and the role players, I like the U.S. more.Canada has won three of the past four gold medals at the Winter Olympics, including the 2010 Vancouver Games and 2014 Sochi Games. That international success will end against Team USA this time around. Eliaquim Mangala Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Benjamin Mendy Manchester City Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. http://www.authenticmanchestercityshop.com/Authentic-Danilo-Manchester-City-Jersey/ . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. Oleksandr Zinchenko Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Riyad Mahrez Manchester City Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.BASTAD, Sweden -- Serena Williams won her 53rd WTA title by beating Johanna Larsson 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the Swedish Open on Sunday. The 24-year-old Swede broke to lead 3-1 in the first set before Williams fought back to 3-3. Larsson advanced to 4-3 before caving in to the Americans strong serve and losing the next three games. Williams dominated the second set, breaking Larssons serve twice. "It was really good tto come here and win after a disappointing Wimbledon so hopefully this confidence will help me for the rest of the year," said Williams, who lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Sabine Lisicki.dddddddddddd Larsson said "at the crucial points I wasnt really present, which was a shame." Williams also defeated 76th-ranked Larsson in their only previous match in the Fed Cup earlier this year. ' ' '