Toronto, ON - In their final warm-up before the start of World Cup Qualifying, the US Men’s National Team had to settle for a scoreless draw against a resolute Canadian team at BMO Field. Following quickly on the heals of an inspiring 5-1 win over Scotland and a sloppy 1-4 loss to Brazil, the US looked rather tired and devoid of ideas against their northern neighbors.
Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was set to make just two chances to the team that started against Brazil on Wednesday with Clarence Goodson coming in for Oguchi Onyewu in central defense and Clint Dempsey replacing Maurice Edu. However, Fabian Johnson strained his calf in warm-up, pressing Edgar Castillo into action. The US starting line-up was as follows: Howard, Bocanegra (captain), Goodson, Cherundolo, Castillo, Jones, Bradley, Donovan, Torres, Dempsey, Gomez.
The Yanks enjoyed most of the early possession and won a couple of corners, the second resulting in a shot for Goodson but he was unable to get his effort on goal. In the 6th minute, Francisco Torres put in a good cross from the left that was headed clear just in front of Dempsey.
Canada started to get into the game a few minutes later. Dwayne De Rosario saw his shot across goal deflect off Steve Cherundolo and go out for a corner.
In the 14th minute, Canada’s Julian De Guzman was cautioned for a foul on Castillo and Torres took the resulting free kick. The ball into the box was partially cleared to Castillo, who hit a half-volley from 40 yards out. The shot looked like it might dip under the crossbar until Canadian keeper, Lars Hirschfeld, punched it over for another corner.
Ten minutes later it was Tim Howard who was called into action. The US defense were unable to clear a long throw into their area and Tosaint Ricketts got off a shot from close range that the US keeper did well to smother.
A moment of real controversy arose in the 34th minute when Castillo got caught in possession down in the corner. De Rosario pressured him with a kick and a push in the back of the young defender, whose pass towards the area was intercepted by Nik Ledgerwood. The Canadian midfielder took a couple of touches before finishing neatly into the roof of the net from a very tight angle. However, the referee had already blown his whistle after his assistant, who was right on top of the tussle between Castillo and De Rosario, raised his flag very late to signal a foul. The Canadian players were annoyed, and not without reason, as such physical play often goes unpunished at this level.
Not much else happened during the remainder of the first half. Dempsey and Landon Donovan did start to work some nice passing moves in their first appearances together since the 2011 Gold Cup Final. Clint did get off a hard shot from the top of the box in the 41st minute but unfortunately for him, it was straight at the keeper.
Canada came out quicker in the second half and Goodson was called upon a couple of times to clear the danger. Then in the 52nd minute, Donovan sent a good cross over to the far post. Jermaine Jones was on had to make contact with a fine diving header but his effort was blocked by a defender.
Two minutes later Jones earned a free kick in a dangerous position on the right. Torres sent in a low, curving free kick that Carlos Bocanegra headed over. The game began to open up more and there were half-chances at both ends of the field.
Just past the hour mark, Coach Klinsmann made the first substitutions of the game, replacing Bocanegra with Onyewu and Torres with Jozy Altidore, who’d just joined the US Team from his club side AZ Aikmaar. For the next ten minutes or so, Canada were in the ascendancy, stretching the US defense and forcing Howard to make a good save.
Sensing the increased Canadian threat, Klinsmann replaced one of his attacking players, Donovan, with a defensive midfielder, Maurice Edu, in the 73rd minute. The switch seemed to have the desired effect as Canada’s attacks were blunted for the most part.
With the upcoming qualifiers clearly on his mind, Coach Klinsmann withdrew Cherundolo and Hercules Gomez seven minutes later. He brought on Michael Parkhurst and Chris Wondolowski in their spots.
Canada started to look dangerous again, winning a free kick and a couple of corners. Goodson and Altidore did well defensively to ensure that the score stayed level.
In added time both teams had a chance to win the game. First the US failed to clear a free kick, giving substitute Simeon Jackson a shooting opportunity from point-blank range. Some how he managed to push his shot wide of the near post when putting it on frame seemed far easier.
A minute later Michael Bradley served a lovely free kick into the Canadian penalty area from the right. Goodson rose to smack a powerful header on net. Hirschfeld pulled off the save of the match, acrobatically punching the ball over the bar. Nothing came from the resulting corner and the referee blew the whistle for full time.
This was not the result the US wanted going into qualifying but credit to Canada for defending well throughout and looking menacing on several occasions. Both teams now start their qualifying campaigns and will likely meet again in meaningful games down the road.
Player ratings for the US Team follows (scored 1-10):
Tim Howard, goalkeeper (7): A solid performance in keeping the clean sheet. He made the saves one would expect him to make and didn’t give up any rebounds. The one time he was beaten was after the whistle had blown.
Carlos Bocanegra, central defender (7): He did well defensively and played some good balls out of the back. Will probably feel that he should have put his header on target early in the second half. The captain was withdrawn early to keep him fresh for the qualifiers.
Clarence Goodson central defender (8): Slotted in very comfortably alongside Bocanegra in his first start for the National Team since February. His positioning and headed clearances were excellent. Only an amazing save from Hirschfeld prevented him from netting the winner at the end (man of the match).
Steve Cherundolo, right fullback (6): Another veteran who put in a solid if unspectacular performance. He was also withdrawn with the upcoming qualifiers in mind.
Edgar Castillo, left fullback (6): For a guy who wasn’t even in uniform until Johnson’s injury, the young defender did well for the most part. He looked quite lively getting forward and his dipping half-volley was the best scoring chance of the first half for the visitors. However, he did need the referees to bail him out a bit when Canada had the ball in the back of the net towards the end of the first interval.
Jermaine Jones, central midfielder (7): Another all-action performance as he got involved at both ends of the field. He was cautioned for a second match in a row, which is a bit of a concern.
Michael Bradley, central midfielder (6): After an outstanding performance against Scotland, he’s been quieter the last two games as he’s been forced to play more of a defensive role. Great delivery at the end for Goodson’s header.
Landon Donovan, right midfielder (6): He was good in fits and starts during his time on the field but never took control of proceedings. His deliveries from set pieces were hit and miss as well.
Francisco Torres, left midfield (7): He’s looked good lately and one got the feeling that if the US was going to score from open play, it would come through him. Quick, lively and accurate with his passing, he’s staking a real claim to the left midfield position.
Clint Dempsey, striker (6): Like Donovan he had his moments but they were few and far between. That being said, the US will surely need his goals in qualifying.
Herculez Gomez, striker (6): After being one of the few bright spots against Brazil, Gomez was largely stymied by the Canadian defense. However, he’s now starting to push Altidore for the starting striker position.
Substitutes:
Oguchi Onyewu, central defender (5): He didn’t do a whole lot wrong but Canada looked more dangerous after his introduction.
Jozy Altidore, striker (6): He put over one looping cross from the left but his most important contribution was a headed clearance from a Canadian corner.
Maurice Edu, central midfielder (6): After an uncharacteristically shaky performance against Brazil, Edu’s introduction solidified the US defense at a time in the match when Canada was looking dangerous.
Chris Wondolowski, striker (4): Again did absolutely nothing as far as I can remember. He’s not a National Team player in my estimation.
Michael Parkhurst, right fullback (6): Came on and did a solid job. He’s arguably the US Team’s most dependable reserve defender.
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