It was a poor showing for the United States men's national team in Kansas City on Saturday as they fell to Canada 2-1 in an international friendly. Canada coach Jesse Marsch backed his own score prediction to defeat the USMNT but he got help from numerous turnovers in a sloppy display by the hosts.
Tim Ream and Johnny Cardoso were especially poor against Canada's press during the match as their turnovers led directly to goals by Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David. The USMNT would get a goal in the second half from Luca De La Torre who scored his first ever international goal only four minutes after entering. It's a match to forget under interim manager Mikey Varas as the USMNT continue to wait for the Mauricio Pochettino era to begin.
The USMNT will be in action next on Tuesday against New Zealand.
Jesse Marsch said his team would win and they did just that with the USMNT struggling with the press for the entire match. While some issues were expected under interim manager Micky Varas, Canada were well-drilled and made the USMNT pay for every mistake in the match. Next up is a match against New Zealand in which the USMNT will need to show more.
With a concussion substitution and multiple fouls, it was expected for there to be a significant amount of stoppage time.
Wright has created chances left and right and he setup Ricardo Pepi well. Crepeau was there to stop it and keep the game where it is.
Ricardo Pepi is also about to enter the match with the USMNT still trailing.
This second half has been better with the USMNT pushing the pace and now Cade Cowell will come in for Brenden Aaronson. You can't ask for more attacking subs from Varas than what he has provided so far.
He'll come on for Yunus Musah as this is a more attacking lineup to close out the final 20 minutes. A chance to see Wight on the left with Pulsiic central.
It was a messy one but the following a missed connection from Pulisic to Balogun ended up at the feet of Luca De La Torre in front of the net and he wouldn't miss bringing the USMNT within a goal.
It's an interesting change for Varas to make but the USMNT needs to put their stamp on the match and De La Torre is a midfielder who is good against the press.
Aidan Morris is getting ready and he will replace Johnny Cardoso but there is also another change that will happen too as the USMNT needs a spark. Luca De La Torre is that other player but it's unknown who he'll replace.
2-0 to Canada as again a Tim Ream giveaway leaves Schulte helpless in net. A poor performance and Canada are making their chances count.
Lund got forward and Tillman found him before the left back played an excellent chance to Balogun up top. Slow progress but the USMNT has been brighter in the second half so far.
Tillman has a nice backheel to set up Balogun with a chance which is fired on net. It's a slight improvement to the attack from what was seen in the first half of play.
Looks like Varas is going to give the USMNT some time to respond to their performances in a poor first half of play.
The USMNT only trails by a goal at halftime but they're lucky not to trail by more. It was a poor performance for the USMNT as they struggled to play out of the back. One team looks like they know how they want to play and the other doesn't. While some kinks are to be expected under an interim manager, this team is quite a step back from the USMNT under Gregg Berhalter.
Again called into a save as Scally is beaten on the flank. Canada has a corner kick but they could easily be up three goals by now which isn't great. This may be a friendly but few in red white and blue are impressing at the moment.
Chris Richards does a good job keeping up with Cyle Larin after Tim Ream passed the ball to Canada but Schulte was again forced into a quick fire save. It's a good start for the Columbus Crew man but not a great first half for the USMNT.
Alistair Johnston will be replaced by Richie Lareya at right back after picking up a knick. The Celtic wing back has been a strong performer for the Canucks so this is a change to watch in the match.
Malik Tillman has been a bright spot in transition creating a chance for Folarin Balogun. That was saved well by Canadian keeper Maxime Crepeau but Christian Pulisic came close on the follow up.
It's another turnover from Johnny Cardoso and Jacob Shaffelburg turns it into a tidy finish to go ahead 1-0. It's been coming as Canada are making the USMNT pay for their mistakes early in the match.
Some hiccups could've been expected early with how many changes Varas has made but the United States is struggling with Canada's organization. The Canucks have already created strong chances in the match while the SUMNT has yet to take a shot despite holding 60% of possession.
It was a turnover by Johnny Cardoso that led to Jonathan David getting an excellent chance but Schulte was strong in saving it. A nervy moment for the USMNT but the match is still level.
The USMNT is trying to play out of the press but Canada's defensive organization is already creating turnovers in the early moments in the match. This will be something to watch.
We're just about to get this match rolling.
Despite the managerial picture being in flux, this is still a talented United States squad that will get the job done and defeat Canada. Pick: United States 2, Canada 1
Off to a strong start to the season for PSV. Malik Tillman already has two goals and an assist in four matches so far. Now, Gio Reyna's injury may require Malik Tillman's inclusion in the XI for the USMNT. The creative midfielder was involved in 21 goals in all competitions for PSV last season and the USMNT is crying out for more creative attackers to help free up Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. While everything that Tillman tries may not come off, he's someone who isn't afraid to try things. After becoming more familiar with the squad after making a one time switch from representing Germany, now is the time for Tillman to show what he can bring to the international stage.
While the United States Soccer Federation is reportedly close to appointing Argentine head coach Mauricio Pochettino to lead the United States men's soccer team, there still something getting in the way. A trip to Spain that was supposed to be for top U.S. Soccer officials had to be canceled due to the continued need to work out finances between U.S. Soccer and Chelsea, according to Fox Sports.
Since Pochettino had a guaranteed contract with the Blues when he departed the club in June, the Blues have to still compensate him. While Pochettino is out of a job, those responsibilities are solely a Chelsea issue but if he is to take the USMNT role, that's where negotiations come into play. Since neither Chelsea nor U.S. Soccer want to pay more than they have to, things have come to a standstill as the parties try to negotiate the finances of his official exit, according to the report. Pochettino had a two-year contract with the Blues, but he was let go after just one season.
The Canada manager made a bold prediction when asked about the match:
"We're gonna win," Marsch said on the latest episode of Call It What You Want, a CBS Sports Golazo Network podcast he previously co-hosted. "I'll say 2-1."
Starters: 16-Maxime Crepeau; 2-Alistair Johnston, 7-Stephen Eustaquio, 8-Mathieu Choiniere, 9-Cyle Larin, 10-Jonathan David, 13-Derek Cornelius, 14-Jacob Shaffelburg, 15-Moise Bombito, 19-Alphonso Davies (Capt.), 20-Ali Ahmed
Available Subs: 1-Dayne St. Clair, 18-Jonathan Sirois, 3-Nathan Saliba, 4-Kamal Miller, 5-Joel Waterman, 6-Niko Sigur, 11-Jacen Russell-Rowe, 12-Tani Oluwaseyi, 17-Stephen Afrifa, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 22-Richie Laryea, 23-Liam Millar
Matt Turner heads to the bench as Patrick Schulte gets a chance to show what he can do after leading the U-23s at the Olympics. Micky Varas has named a rotated side meaning that there will be opportunities to impress for members of the XI.
Starters: 16-Patrick Schulte; 3-Chris Richards, 6-Yunus Musah, 10-Christian Pulisic (Capt.), 11-Brenden Aaronson, 13-Tim Ream, 15-Johnny Cardoso, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun, 22-Joe Scally, 23-Kristoffer Lund
Reserves: 1-Matt Turner, 18-Ethan Horvath, 21-Diego Kochen, 2-Auston Trusty, 4-Mark McKenzie, 5-Caleb Wiley, 7-Cade Cowell, 8-Aidan Morris, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 12-Marlon Fossey, 14-Luca de la Torre, 19-Haji Wright, 24-Josh Sargent
