Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed optimism for the United States’s future as a soccer powerhouse after teen Justin Ellis scored the only goal against Canada on Tuesday to cap a flawless international window with four wins from four friendlies. The 1-0 win lacked the dynamism, fluidity, and multiple goals of wins against Mexico, Chile, and Peru, but was another vindication for Pochettino’s policy of blooding fresh talent in the post-World Cup window.
Nineteen-year-old Ellis, who had scored on debut against Peru, bundled in an Alex Freeman strike midway through the first half, while Luc de Fougerolles came closest for Canada by hitting the crossbar after the break. Across four games, seven of 12 US goals were scored by teenagers, with debuts for 13 new players as Pochettino eyes the future following a disappointing last-16 exit at this summer’s home World Cup. “For sure, the future with these young talented players, plus the senior players that we have, I think we have a very good mix,” said Pochettino, describing a burgeoning US pool of youthful talent as “deep.”
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“I hope we can guide this group of players to reach our best level, and compete in our best way, trying to be with the big national teams in the future.” Pochettino had made six changes to his starting line-up. Ellis’s goal was the only US shot on target, with a high-pressing Canada spending most of the game on the front foot but unable to break through. “It was a really difficult opponent… We made changes, we kept the level. I think we managed really well, we competed really well,” said Pochettino.
The US got off to a slow start, sitting deep and soaking up a barrage of fouls from an evidently motivated Canada team. The Canadians had the early shots, though efforts from both Tani Oluwaseyi and Jacob Shaffelburg were from range and barely threatened. A foul on teen Ellis outside the box prompted a bout of shoving between players, and Pochettino grew enraged on the sideline as the referee allowed several physical challenges to go unchecked. Ellis was left limping badly but was determined to remain on the pitch, and his doggedness paid off.
In the 29th minute, Alex Freeman picked up the ball on the right flank, played a one-two with Malik Tillman, and surged into the box. He appeared to shoot, but Ellis popped up to steer his wayward effort into the back of the net. A slightly ill-tempered first half ended with two yellow cards — Oluwaseyi and Gio Reyna — and Alex Freeman blazing a volley way over the crossbar. Ellis was hooked at half-time for fellow teen Julian Hall, kick-starting a raft of changes from both sides. Cole Campbell, 20, became the 13th US debutant of the post-World Cup international window.
Canada pushed forward, and their best chance came in the 63rd minute. Substitute Mathieu Choiniere whipped in a free kick that De Fougerolles smartly volleyed, but his shot was tipped onto the crossbar at point-blank range by Brian Schwake. Minutes later, Nathan Saliba flashed a cross across the face of goal, but nobody was there to gather, and Canada’s chances began to dwindle as the game petered out.
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