ST. PAUL, Minn. — The final day of a grueling and instructive U.S. camp — four friendlies over 16 days featuring a mix of veterans and hopefuls — was a cantankerous affair that bore no resemblance to previous brilliant performances.
It was hard and sometimes violent. It lacked the pace and flashes of beauty that defined victories against Peru, Chile and Mexico.
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However, over the course of a brutal 90 minutes, the United States found another way to win, beating Canada 1-0, completing a perfect World Cup comeback.
Teenager Justin Ellis came off injured to score in the 29th minute and goalkeeper Brian Schwake recorded a shutout in his first career start as the United States recovered from two losses to Canada in recent years.
Ellis, a 19-year-old striker for Orlando City, scored the first and last of 12 U.S. goals in the extended FIFA window. He scored four minutes into his match on September 26 against Peru.
The victory marks the USMNT’s first four-game winning streak in FIFA windows in over five years and the first such streak in an official window including South American or European opponents since 2016.
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The United States will gather for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, which will host the first leg on November 14 at a site to be announced. (The Haitians cannot play at home due to security concerns.) The second leg is Nov. 17 in Cincinnati.
With a busy schedule, coach Mauricio Pochettino continued to move players in and out of the starting lineup, except for one non-stop starter: midfielder Gio Reyna, who played a bigger role than in previous matches. Considering how long he had been around, his inclusion came as a surprise. Reyna will now return to his French club, Strasbourg, who travel to Nice on Sunday.
Two players made their first career starts in the United States: Schwake and 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert.
A few days ago, Pochettino hinted that Schwake would get the call and become the fourth different goalkeeper to start in this window. Schwake, 25, is in his first full season as a starter in MLS, for leader Nashville SC.
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Matt Freese, the World Cup starter who was called up against Peru on Sept. 26, wasn’t even in uniform Tuesday.
Albert was substituted in each of the first three games, drawing a penalty against Peru and, with a late goal against Chile, becoming the youngest scorer in U.S. history. (The record stood for four days before Cavan Sullivan scored against Mexico.)
Chris Richards made his second consecutive start and wore the captain’s armband, in place of Tyler Adams, who was on the bench. Richards partnered in central defense with George Campbell making his second start. Auston Trusty and Alex Freeman were in wide positions, with Freeman having the freedom to project upfield.
Malik Tillman, who played 192 minutes in the first three matches, again started in midfield, joined by 21-year-old Brooklyn Raines and Yunus Musah, who, at just 23, made his 50th career appearance.
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Ellis made his second start as a striker, replacing 18-year-old Julian Hall, who scored in each of his first three appearances.
Two of Freeman’s Villarreal teammates started for Canada: forward Tani Oluwaseyi and midfielder Nathan Saliba. Atlético Madrid forward Jonathan David completed the La Liga contingent for Canada, arriving after shutout wins over Peru and Chile.
Under the direction of their pugnacious American coach Jesse Marsch, the Canadians often beat the Americans when the latter touched the ball. This tactic frustrated the United States, neutralized its attack and sparked protests from American judges.
In bad shape, the Americans were careless and slow. Their gifts allowed Canada to create threats, but none that seriously tested Schwake.
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Ellis had to be treated in the 21st minute after a challenge from Canadian captain Stephen Eustáquio. Despite a visible limp – and several potential substitutes warming up on the sidelines – he came back into the game.
Justin Ellis opened the USMNT’s four-game window with a goal against Peru and closed it with the winner against Canada.
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
He was good enough to score in the 29th minute. On the right side, Freeman connected with Tillman centrally. Freeman’s scorer, Richie Laryea, had committed to the pass, allowing Freeman to rush into open space and receive Tillman’s return pass.
He charged towards goal before crossing into the penalty area, where Ellis redirected it into the net. The Canadians’ eyes turned to the assistant referee looking for an offside flag. It never came. Television replays showed Ellis barely in play or slightly beyond defender Luc de Fougerolles. Video replay is not used during friendly matches; if he had been here the goal could have been disallowed.
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The bitterness continued. Reyna received a yellow card for beating Eustáquio, who appeared to injure his shoulder. Later, after a whistle, Laryea tossed the ball to the U.S. coaches – then extended his hand to Pochettino, who playfully hugged him.
Ellis, Reyna and Musah left at halftime, replaced by Hall, Sebastian Berhalter and Sergiño Dest respectively. Eustaquio did not return either.
Ellis suffered a contusion to his lower right leg and left the stadium before the end of the game to have an MRI scan, a team spokesperson said.
Canada set the terms, but the United States absorbed the pressure and cleared the balloons from danger.
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Trusty absorbed a hard blow to the head from David and had to be treated.
To strengthen his midfield, Pochettino inserted Adams. At the same time, 20-year-old winger Cole Campbell became the 13th player to make his debut in this camp.
Canada’s pressure almost paid off in the 64th minute, but Schwake reacted well and lightly touched de Fougerolles’ volley, pushing it off the crossbar.
Hall was sent on alone in the 71st minute, but lacked the composure of his previous appearances and missed from the near side.
The Americans continued to defend well, protecting Schwake and clearing the ball out of the box.
American notes: Freese and Frankie Westfield, a 20-year-old right back who made his debut against Chile, were not in uniform as Pochettino remained consistent by dressing 26 players.
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