The United States v Canada doesn’t sound like a fixture to excite too many international fans but Thursday’s Gold Cup semi-final between the two nations, in Chicago, promises to be a fascinating encounter.

There are still some in Europe and South America who look down their noses at soccer in North America but they should start to get used to the fact that the U.S. in particular are now well established in the elite of the world game. With Canada doing a pretty good job at playing catch-up, there is plenty to look forward to on Thursday.

After reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002, the U.S. went out in the group stage in Germany last year which hid the progress that Bruce Arena’s side had made in the previous four years. The improvement has continued – and possibly accelerated – under Bob Bradley’s guidance.

At the Gold Cup, the hosts have won every game and conceded just one goal, and that came in the final minutes of a comfortable 2-1 win over Panama in Saturday’s quarter-final. Not everyone is convinced — The Other Football says this team is not yet ready for prime time and My Soccer Blog finds a lot to criticise — but under Bradley they seem to have found the sparkle in midfield and sharpness in attack lacking in the Arena era.

Striker Landon Donovan, who will be a team-mate of David Beckham’s at LA Galaxy, is enjoying greater freedom to roam the frontline and is benefiting from the creativity from PSV Eindhoven’s DaMarcus Beasley and Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.

Canada have long been overshadowed by their neighbours but look to be finally delivering on their potential. Striker Ali Gerba and attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario should pose some questions of a U.S. defence that has looked very solid so far.

It’s hardly England v Germany or Argentina v Brazil but if you get a chance to view this week’s ‘North American derby’ you might be pleasantly surprised.

Simon Evans is a Reuters sports correspondent based in Miami