The United States closed out the international window with a fourth consecutive win, beating Canada 1-0 in a physical and often scrappy friendly at Allianz Field in Minnesota. Justin Ellis scored the only goal with a first-time finish, while Brian Schwake kept a clean sheet in his first international start.
Ellis strikes after returning from injury
Ellis was the unfortunate first victim of a hard challenge, staying on the pitch for a few minutes after a collision in the 20th minute, but he was able to continue after medical treatment. Five minutes after re-entering the game, Ellis navigated the channel as Alex Freeman worked a one-two to get the ball into the final third. The pair of Orlando academy products connected, as Freeman's cross bypassed Canada goalkeeper Dayne St Clair for Ellis to slam home.
The 19-year-old has two goals in his first three appearances for the US, doubling his club goal tally from 19 MLS appearances to date.
Physical affair from the start
The regional rivals wasted no time in letting the game get chippy, as games between them tend to get. Canada committed nine fouls in the opening 16 minutes to the hosts' three, keeping the US from building momentum whenever they had the ball. Boos followed each foul, with the loudest jeering saved for touches by St Clair, returning to the venue for the first time since leaving Minnesota United for Inter Miami as a free agent after seven seasons in Saint Paul.
The fouls ledger was better balanced by half-time, with Canada's 13 cautions outpacing 10 from the US. Referee Steven Madrigal was kept busy throughout the first half, sussing out which way to award blame on 50/50 challenges and struggling to play the advantage with consistency.
Second half brings few chances
Marsch made one substitution at the break and Pochettino made two, yet little about the game's composition altered after half-time. Cole Campbell became the 13th player to make his US debut in the window in the 61st minute, and was immediately trying to force the Canada defensive block to retreat with upfield scampers. Julian Hall ran on to a ball beyond the Canadian defense for a one-on-one with St Clair, only for his shot to catch the outside netting.
By the end, each team had managed just two attempts in the second half, with only one of Canada's efforts landing on target. The sides maintained an identical 72% pass completion rate entering second-half stoppage.
In true Minnesota fashion, most of the crowd politely stuck around through the final whistle to bask in the beautiful fall weather. A bright and clear sky at kickoff made way for crisp air after sundown, which allowed the fans' cheering, the drum corps' beat, and the post-win rendition of "Country Roads" to linger a bit longer than usual.
