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Houston, Texas | Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 11737
Evan James
Russell Teibert
Frank Jonke
Dwayne De Rosario
Caution: Ledgerwood, Nik (CAN MNT)
Nik Ledgerwood
Caution: Morgan, Ashtone (CAN MNT)
Ashtone Morgan
Doneil Henry
Nana Attakora
Matt Stinson
Terry Dunfield
A young Canadian team battled USA to a 0:0 draw in a Men’s International Friendly in Houston, TX on Tuesday 29 January, 2013.
Canadian captain Dwayne De Rosario had arguably the best chance of the match, but a close-range volley was parried away by Sean Johnson in goal for USA.
The Americans had a number of chances of their own and put Canada under pressure, particularly during portions of the second half, but the Canadians held firm to earn the draw in front of a crowd 11,737 at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
22-year-old Canadian keeper Simon Thomas helped Canada keep the clean sheet in his first start at the senior level.
Nik Ledgerwood created the early chance for De Rosario when he crossed a ball deep in to the US area in the 6th minute. De Rosario extended his run to collect the ball before thumping a volley on goal – which keeper Johnson had to scramble to beat away.
Chris Wondolowski had USA’s first chance on target after some good interplay from the Americans in the build-up. Wondolowski hit a strike from range which was well saved by Thomas.
Canada worked an impressive free-kick routine in the 39th minute which eventually led to a diagonal ball deep into the box. De Rosario led the charge into the area, but just couldn’t reach it in time to finish from close range.
Wondolowski then answered back with a headed attempt following a cross from the right – but his effort sailed over the bar.
Wondolowski had another chance early in the second half as he hit an effort just wide following a blocked cross by Dejan Jakovic.
It was De Rosario, again, who then had Canada’s best chance of the second half when connected with a free kick delivery from Russell Teibert – but the captain’s header missed just wide at the near post.
The Americans had a flurry of decent chances to equalize in the final half hour – but the Canadian back-line held firm to see through the 90 minutes at nil-nil.
Canada started the match with Simon Thomas in goal; Nik Ledgerwood, Nana Attakora, Dejan Jakovic and Ashtone Morgan across the back line; Terry Dunfield, Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault and Kyle Bekker in midfield; and Tosaint Ricketts, Russell Teibert and Dwayne De Rosario (captain) across the attacking line.
Matthew Stinson, Doneil Henry, Frank Jonke (first cap for Canada), Evan James and Kyler Poter entered the match in the second half.
Ashtone Morgan and Nik Ledgerwood both received yellow cards in the 78th and 79th minute respectively.
USA started the match with Sean Johnson in goal; Justin Morrow, Tony Beltran, Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez across the back-line; Kyle Beckerman (captain), Graham Zusi, Brad Evans, Brad Davis in midfield; and Eddie Johnson and Chris Wondolowski up front.
Benny Feilhaber, Alfredo Morales, Juan Agudelo, Alejandro Bedoya, Joshua Gatt and Will Bruin entered the match in the second half.
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