USMNT Bullied by Canada in 2-1 Defeat
Jesse Marsch got one over on the U.S.
A Berhalterless USMNT took the pitch with no Matt Turner, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, or Gio Reyna in the starting 11. Interim head coach Mikey Varas led the Copa América “grouped“ USMNT against a Canada team that was also missing some names from a Copa América semi-final appearance at a thinly attended Children’s Mercy Park.
Canada played in the very familiar fast and physical style of their coach Jesse Marsch and were often first to the ball and looking for contact when they got there. After a brief turnover scare by the U.S. in the sixth minute a turnover turned lethal in the 17th minute.
A hard touch by Johnny Cardoso from a Tim Ream pass trying to play out of the back created the turnover about 30 yards in front of goal. Jonathan David collected the gift, passed it off to Jacob Shaffelburg for the left-footed finish into the bottom right side of the net.
In the 53rd minute a spinning Folarin Balogun on the ball struck Derek Cornelius with his right hand on the corner of Cornelius’s right eyebrow. The whistle was blown by Keylor Herrera and Balogun received a yellow card.
After some play from the free kick of a freshly bandaged Corneilus, Ream briefly gained possession and a pass intended for Yunus Musah was intercepted by David at the top of the box. It was quickly passed to Cyle Larin who was tackled by Kristoffer Lund in the box. The ball landed in front of a forward running David who fired the ball into the back of the net.
Johnny Cardosa and Malik Tillman came off for Aidan Morris and Luca de la Torre in the 62nd minute. Shortly after the substitutions, Christian Pulisic’s cross from the left-hand side missed a sliding Balogun but Joe Scally collected it on the right side and passed it to Morris at the top of the box. The former Columbus Crew midfielder spun around Stephen Eustaquio and a late shuffling bandaged up Corneilus. While Morris lost control of the ball on the spin, de la Torre finished in the box with a left-footed shot in the bottom left corner of the net in the 66th minute.
After the U.S. goal there were two real chances that came up short. A soft Chris Richards header off a corner that landed directly in the hands of the keeper and a dangerous looking attack with Haji Wright on the ball with Pulisic, Cade Cowell, and Ricardo Pepi spread out in front of him. The ball was played to Pepi, but the striker’s shot was smothered by Crépeau.
According to ESPN the USA suffered its first home loss to Canada in 67 years.
The whispers of the Pochettino deal nearing its completion grow louder. There’s a real possiblity that the coach will be looking on from the stands in Cincinnati at TQL Stadium when the USMNT take on New Zealand.
The USMNT needs organization. Will Pochettino be the coach to do it? Sign the contract, and let’s find out together.