Fourth Win of the Window

Ellis's Goal Was the Difference in American Victory Over Canada

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States closed out its fall camp the way it began, with a win, though this one was far less polished than the others. On Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Americans edged Canada 1-0 for a fourth victory in as many matches since their round-of-16 World Cup exit against Belgium.

Justin Ellis made the difference. The 19-year-old Orlando City striker, who also scored against Peru on Sept. 26, took a heavy challenge around the 20th minute and needed treatment on the touchline. He returned still limping, and by the 29th minute he was in the right spot when Alex Freeman delivered a cross, steering it into the net.

Little flowed after that. Canada played a physical game, and the contest became a scrappy back-and-forth as both coaches dug deep into their benches without finding a second goal. Pochettino changed six starters from the side that beat Mexico 3-0, including a first senior start for 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert, again blending youth and experience.

In goal, Nashville SC’s Brian Schwake earned a clean sheet in his first start. His standout moment came in the 63rd minute, when he got a hand to a close-range effort from Luc de Fougerolles and sent it off the crossbar.

Pochettino praised his players’ stamina after a compressed schedule. “The effort was massive,” he said, pointing to four games in two weeks. “I’m not happy because we won. I’m happy because of the performance and the commitment that the players showed.”

The U.S. now holds a 17-13-12 (WDL) all-time record against Canada. Next, the U.S. faces Haiti in a two-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal in November, with a semifinal spot on the line. Canada will face Guatemala.