Another trip north of the border, another result to lament for the U.S. men's national team.
Cyle Larin scored in the seventh minute, and Canada made it stand up until Sam Adekugbe scored an insurance goal at the death, reinforcing its place atop Concacaf's World Cup qualifying standings with a 2–0 win over the U.S. that puts the nation one step closer to its first World Cup since 1986. The U.S.'s last defeat to Canada came a little over two years ago in the Concacaf Nations League, a 2–0 loss in Toronto that served as a low point for this U.S. group and a launchpad for Canada. While Sunday's defeat at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, isn't completely detrimental to the U.S. in its attempt to reach Qatar, it does shrink the margin for error going forward.
Entering the day, Canada topped the table, a point ahead of the U.S. and two points clear of Mexico. The top three teams at the end of the Concacaf Octagonal automatically qualify for the World Cup, while fourth place goes into an intercontinental playoff for one final berth. Canada remains unbeaten (6-0-4), while the U.S. (5-2-3) will do some scoreboard watching later Sunday to see what needs to be done in the four matches that remain.
Both sides were missing key players. Canada superstar Alphonso Davies was out as he recovers from myocarditis following a case of COVID-19, while U.S. winger Tim Weah was not permitted to enter Canada due to his vaccination status. U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen was also out, having not yet joined the team as he battles back tightness suffered at Man City.
Aaronson assumed Weah's place on the wing in the U.S. lineup, which featured two other changes: Gyasi Zardes in for Jesús Ferreira at striker, and Miles Robinson replacing Walker Zimmerman at center back. For a second straight qualifier, Ricardo Pepi, the breakout star at forward in the fall, remained on the bench.
Teams traded fruitless possession through the opening minutes until the U.S. won a free kick in the fourth minute, some 30 yards out from the Canadian goal. Christian Pulisic's take didn't clear Canada's first line of defense in the box, though, and Canada cleared off a subsequent long throw-in to break on the counter.
It was off another counter a minute later that Canada looked to have a threat building. Yunus Musah's cross-field pass for Sergiño Dest was intercepted by Adekugbe, who played the dangerous Tajon Buchanan up the left-hand side, only to have Miles Robinson defend him well and salvage a goal kick.
But off that goal kick, disaster struck for the U.S. Matt Turner's long ball was intercepted in the center circle, and the Canadians turned that into an opportunity straight down the center, with Larin scoring the opener in the seventh minute. In doing so, Larin became Canada's all-time men's leading scorer, with his 23 career goals passing Dwayne De Rosario.
The U.S. had a chance to equalize a couple of minutes later, when Pulisic's corner kick picked out Chris Richards in the box, but the center back couldn't flick his chance on target.
Aaronson looked to be given a bit of a gift in the 28th minute, when Zardes's cross was headed right into the winger's path inside the box, but his follow-up shot was blocked, and Tyler Adams's speculative blast from long distance went well over to end the mini threat.
Canada turned on the physicality, with the whistles going the U.S.'s way after the half-hour mark. First, Steven Vitória was given a yellow card for fouling Pulisic. Then, the Chelsea star drew another foul, on Mark-Anthony Kaye, which gave the U.S. a great chance to pull even off a free kick from about 22 yards out. Pulisic took it, but overhit it badly and never troubled Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
Borjan came to the rescue in the 43rd minute, though. Pulisic's corner kick picked out Weston McKennie at point-blank range, but the Juventus midfielder had his header turned away by an incredible save, keeping Canada in the lead.
Despite the score at the half, the U.S. enjoyed the better of the run of play, out-possessing Canada 63%-37%, with the hosts seeming to be more than content to absorb and look to hit on the counter. Save for the McKennie chance, though, the U.S. wasn't able to direct any dangerous chances on goal.
The U.S.'s best chance in the opening stage of the second half came just before the hour mark. McKennie hit a line-splitting pass to find Aaronson at the top of the Canada box, but Borjan was equal to the task, making a clean save on the shot and not yielding a rebound to keep it at 1–0.
The U.S. went to its bench in the 68th minute for the first time, but not entirely by choice. Adams was forced out with a hamstring injury, with Kellyn Acosta coming on in his place. Separately, Jordan Morris and Pepi came on, with Zardes and Aaronson making way.
Moments later, Turner made a sensational double save to keep the deficit at one. The U.S. got caught trying to play out of the back and turned it over, allowing David to have a clear look at goal. Turner made the stop, then denied Larin from point-blank range, keeping it at 1–0 in the 70th minute.
The U.S. made its final two substitutes with 15 minutes to go, as Reggie Cannon and Paul Arriola came on for Musah and Dest. The move shifted Pulisic into more of a central role, with Cannon a straight swap for Dest at right back.
Being out of subs came back to bite the U.S. in the 85th minute, when Richards fell to the ground in pain after a challenge while in possession. He limped off the field, forcing the U.S. to play with 10 men. Richards may have broken his foot, according to U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter.
That didn't keep the U.S. from throwing everything forward, and Arriola had a great chance to fire at goal in the 87th minute after a McKennie cross, only for it to be blocked.
Arriola nearly scored in spectacular fashion a minute later, with Miles Robinson heading a McKennie cross into his path, with Arriola chesting it to himself and attempting a bicycle kick that went wide.
The U.S. was able to put a chance on target in stoppage time, with Pulisic firing a free kick on goal, only for Borjan to make the clean stop.
It was Canada that scored late, though. Adekugbe scored off a sensational individual effort to cap a counterattack at the death, giving Canada the 2–0 result and another famous three points at the U.S.'s expense.
The U.S. closes the winter qualifying window in St. Paul, Minn., against Honduras on Wednesday, while Canada heads to Central America to face El Salvador.
