Men's National Team

2 - 0

USA

Toronto, Ontario | BMO Field

Attendance: 17126

CAN MNT goal by Lucas Cavallini (assist by Jonathan Osorio)) Lucas Cavallini

90'
84'

USA caution to Player Carded
CAN MNT caution to Lucas Cavallini Lucas Cavallini

77'
CAN MNT caution to Samuel Piette Samuel Piette

74'
Lucas Cavallini
Jonathan David

66'
David Junior Hoilett
Alphonso Davies

66'
CAN MNT goal by Alphonso Davies (assist by Scott Arfield)) Alphonso Davies

63'
33'

USA caution to Player Carded
CAN MNT caution to Liam Fraser Liam Fraser

24'
Liam Fraser
Mark-Anthony Kaye

9'

Timeline

Men's National Team

KO

KO
9 ' | Liam Fraser - Mark-Anthony Kaye
24 ' | Liam Fraser
33 ' |
HT

HT
63 ' | Alphonso Davies
66 ' | David Junior Hoilett - Alphonso Davies
66 ' | Lucas Cavallini - Jonathan David
74 ' | Samuel Piette
77 ' | Lucas Cavallini
84 ' |
90 ' | Lucas Cavallini
FT

FT

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USA

Match Report

Canada won 2:0 over USA with goals scored by Alphonso Davies and Lucas Cavallini in their third match of Concacaf Nations League. It was Canada’s first international “A” victory over USA in 34 years.

Canada played with more energy and desire than their southern neighbours. Canada had good stretches going forward in the first half but couldn’t find the all-important goal until the second half. Samuel Piette was a beast in the midfield, forced numerous turnovers. Kamal Millar answered skeptics with a highly energetic performance. Alphonso Davies dipsy doodled, coolly and confidently all night long.

The win gave Canada nine points from three matches, ahead of second-place USA (three points from two matches) and third-place Cuba (no points from three matches).

FIRST HALF:

Mark-Anthony went down with a lower body injury in the opening minutes, required an early substitution. It was only the second time ever that Canada men’s national side had to make a change this early.

Alphonso Davies got the first crack at goal in the 10th minute with a left footed strike from 20+ yards, Zack Steffen caught it comfortably. Shortly after, an awful playback by American defender Cristian Rolden, right to Jonathan David all alone in on goal, tried to pass it by Steffen, great stop, rebound came to David, with only a pair of American defenders on the goal line, David hit it wide of goal past the far post.

In the 17th minute, Jordan Morris dribbled into the Canadian penalty area, was on the left side, right on top of goal, captain Scott Arfield bravely threw his body in front of the shot. It was a massive block of the goal bound shot, kept the game scoreless. Later in the half, a Pulisic corner was headed up high in the air, Borjan was sharp, caught the ball high above everyone on the goal line, was fouled by Weston McKennie in the process.

With four minutes left in the half, Jonathan Osorio played a forward ball over the top for Davies, not a good first touch, chipped it high in the air Steffen collected.

SECOND HALF:

In the second half, the first big chance came in the 50th minute on a one-two pass play between Richie Laryea and Arfield, near the end line Laryea played into David, side footed it low just outside the post.

A minute later, USA nearly scored. Jordan Morris chipped a ball for himself up over a charging Steven Vitoria, passed it over to an open Christian Pulisic, just over ten yards from goal, his right footed shot was directly at Borjan. It was an easy stop, his first save of the night.

In the 63rd minute, a Tim Ream clearance came to Liam Fraser, in the US defensive end he one touch passed the ball into the path of Scott Arfield, who took one touch then drove low right footed perfectly weighted ball across the face of goal, past the American defenders, onto the foot of Davies, tapped it on goal, just barely over the line Steffen tried to keep it out, but ball had already crossed.

It was the 71st minute when US got their second shot on target, De Andre Yedlin crossed into the box for Morris, headed toward goal, another comfortable save for Borjan.

Moments later Canada nearly doubled their lead, if not for a great defensive play by Aaron Long. A brilliant knock down by the head of Cavallini for Hoillet, he was in behind his defender at the top of the penalty area, shot deflected right to Steffen, by a sliding Long for an easy save.

From far out Tim Ream played a high ball into McKennie, headed it towards goal, there was no danger, Borjan came out quickly collected easily.

In the 90th + 1 minute, Jonathan Osorio intercepted a ball in the US defensive end, with the right foot chipped a high ball over the top for Lucas Cavallini, in behind the defense, calm, cool and composed let the ball bounce twice before he smashed it out of the air with a right footed strike by Steffen into the bottom corner of the near post.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Canada’s statistical leaders were Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David with three shots each, Samuel Piette with 48 passes completed, and both Piette and Scott Arfield with a pair of steals each. Behind Piette, Arfield completed 45 passes while Steven Vitoria completed 42 passes. Canada fired eight shots (4 of which were on target), connected 293 of 347 pass attempts (84%), won six steals, and held 51% possession over USA.

LINEUPS & NOTES:

Canada’s starting XI featured Milan Borjan in goal, Richie Laryea at right back, Steven Vitória and Derek Cornelius at centre back, Kamal Miller at left back, and Samuel Piette, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Scott Arfield, Jonathan Osorio, Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies from the midfield up through to the attack. Coach John Herdman replaced injured Kaye with Liam Fraser (9’), David with Lucas Cavallini (66’), Davies with Junior Hoillet (66’).

USA’s starting XI featured Zach Steffen in goal, De Andre Yedlin at right back, Aaron Long and captain Tim Ream at centre back, Daniel Lovitz at left back, Cristian Roldan, Michael Bradley, Weston McKennie from right to left in the midfield, and Jordan Morris, Josh Sargent and Christian Pulisic from right to left up front. In the second half Gregg Berhalter replaced Pulisic with Paul Arriola (60’), Roldan with Gyasi Zardes (73’), and Yedlin with Nick Lima (74’).

The match was played in front of 17,216 at BMO Field in Toronto. The match was refereed by Jamaican Daneon Parchment who cautioned Canadians Fraser (24’), Piette (74’), Cavallini (77’), and Americans McKennie (33’), Sargent (84’).