Justin Ellis helps USA close perfect international window with 1-0 win over Canada | USA

BBefore 1878, a referee trying to get the players’ attention had to raise a white handkerchief in the air. It was a flawed practice, requiring an offender to be self-aware enough to search for a removed placemat after violent contact. The game changed forever when Joseph Hudson, a Birmingham-born tool maker who founded Acme Whistles, showed up at an FA Cup match in 1878 with his flagship product.

On Tuesday, nearly 150 years after Hudson’s innovation, referee Steven Madrigal paid warm tribute to the architect.

The United States and Canada closed the long window with a stop-start, physical and at times ugly match, with the hosts taking a 1-0 victory on a beautiful fall evening in Minnesota. Justin Ellis scored his second goal for the United States with an opening goal, while Brian Schwake kept a clean sheet on his first international start.

As for music to Hudson’s late ears: 43 fouls committed between the teams, with the United States also leading in a total.

The regional rivals wasted no time in letting the game get heated, as games between them tend to get. At the 2026 World Cup, only group opponents Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland averaged more fouls per game (14.4) than Canada; their 11 yellow cards are behind Argentina (13) and Egypt (12), although they have played fewer matches than each of them.

Marsch’s team committed nine fouls in the first 16 minutes to the hosts’ three, preventing the United States from gaining momentum whenever they had the ball. Boos followed every foul Tuesday, with the loudest jeers reserved for the touches of Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St Clair, returning to the scene for the first time since leaving Minnesota United for Inter Miami as a free agent after seven seasons in Saint Paul.

A heavily rotating U.S. team struggled to find avenues while keeping the ball on the ground, throwing passes from side to side in an unsuccessful attempt to destabilize the Canadian defensive block. Justin Ellis was the unfortunate first victim of a tough challenge, remaining on the pitch at Allianz Field for a few minutes after a collision in the 20th minute, but he was able to continue after some medical attention.

Perhaps the physios should be credited with a second assist for their efforts. Five minutes after returning to the game, Ellis sailed down the channel as Alex Freeman completed a one-two to bring the ball into the final third. The pair of Orlando academy products connected with aplomb, as Freeman’s cross rounded St Clair for Ellis to head home. The 19-year-old has scored two goals in his first three appearances for the United States, doubling his club goal tally from 19 MLS appearances to date.

The match failed to return to normal from there, as the United States appeared more willing to take on Canada’s strength. Costa Rican referee Steven Madrigal was busy throughout the first half, considering how to assign blame on 50/50 challenges and struggling to play the advantage with consistency. The foul record was more balanced at halftime, with Canada’s 13 cautions surpassing the United States’ 10.

The end of the half was the pinnacle of stop/start football. Canada conceded three corners in a row, the third leading to an American free kick at the edge of the box after a Gio Reyna dribble; the ensuing attempt was quickly sent behind the goal by Canada for a fourth American corner. Despite five dead balls at close range, the United States failed to turn any of them into dangerous looks as Reyna and Tillman alternated serves. Finally, Madrigal managed to close out the half and give a respite to his whistle.

Marsch made one substitution at the break and Pochettino made two, but the composition of the match barely changed after half-time. Auston Trusty received a particularly poignant snap from Jonathan David in the 59th minute as the Atlético Madrid striker attempted to win a header, coming a fraction of a second after the Celtic defender had headed clear.

Cole Campbell became the 13th player to make his debut for the United States in the 61st minute window of play, and immediately attempted to force the Canadian defensive block into retreat with sprints up the field. Canada began to exploit more set pieces, but failed to maximize the threat. Julian Hall raced towards a ball beyond the Canadian defense for a one-on-one with St Clair, only for his shot to hit the outside net.

In the end, each team had only two attempts in the second half, and only one of Canada’s attempts was on target. As if it had been negotiated in the locker room, the teams maintained an identical success rate of 72% before stoppage time in the second half.

In true Minnesota fashion, most spectators politely stayed until the final whistle to enjoy the beautiful fall weather typical of the region. Bright, clear skies at kickoff gave way to cool air after the sun set, allowing the fans’ cheers, drum corps beats and post-victory rendition of “Country Roads” to linger a little longer than usual.

Just like that whistle, blown early and often.