The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) suffered a historic 2-1 loss to Canada in an international friendly at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. This marked Canada’s first victory on American soil in 67 years and only their second win against the U.S. away from home.
Interim coach Mikey Varas, who took charge after Gregg Berhalter’s departure, pointed to the team’s lack of mental fortitude as a key factor in the defeat. “The mentality is on the players. They know it,” Varas said post-match. “I can’t fight, run, or sacrifice for them; that’s on them.”
Canada capitalized on U.S. defensive errors, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring the opening goal in the 17th minute after a misjudged pass from Tim Ream led to a turnover. Jonathan David doubled the lead in the 58th minute, again exploiting a mistake by Ream near his own goal. Despite a flurry of substitutions and tactical adjustments by Varas, the U.S. struggled to break down Canada’s organized defense.
The USMNT showed signs of life in the second half, injecting energy and urgency into their play. Substitute midfielder Luca de la Torre pulled a goal back in the 66th minute with his first international goal, assisted by fellow substitute Aidan Morris. However, despite holding nearly 60% possession and outshooting Canada 7-4 in the second half, the Americans could not find an equalizer.
Varas took partial responsibility for the defeat, admitting that his attempts to introduce new tactical ideas may have caused confusion among the players due to limited training time. “I wanted to present some ideas, but you never know how they will translate from training to the game after only three sessions,” Varas explained.
This defeat follows two losses at the Copa América to Panama and Uruguay, marking the first time the USMNT has lost three consecutive games since 2015. Another loss against New Zealand in their upcoming friendly in Cincinnati on September 10 would result in their first four-game losing streak since 2007.
Despite the loss, the U.S. side featured a youthful lineup, with eight starters aged 23 or younger. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, 23, had an impressive game, making five crucial saves, including several against Canadian striker Jonathan David. However, the defensive lapses and inability to deal with Canada’s press proved costly.
With the build-up to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and 2026 World Cup underway, the USMNT is still in a rebuilding phase. The team’s management remains in flux, with reports suggesting Mauricio Pochettino is in talks to become the new head coach.
Key Takeaways:
- Defensive Errors Costly: Mistakes by veteran defender Tim Ream led to both Canadian goals.
- Lack of Mentality: Interim coach Mikey Varas emphasized the need for stronger mentality and grit among players.
- Bright Spots: Young players like Luca de la Torre and Aidan Morris showed promise with their impact off the bench.
- What’s Next: The USMNT will face New Zealand on September 10, aiming to avoid a rare four-game losing streak.
The U.S. team must quickly address its defensive weaknesses and improve its mentality if it hopes to regain its footing on the road to the World Cup.
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