INGGWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jonathan David scored a tiebreak earlier in the second half, and Canada joined the U.S. men’s national team under coach Mauricio Pochettino, and won a 2-1 victory in third place in the California State Government League Championship on Sunday night.
Tani Oluwaseyi scored for Canada in the first half, Patrick Agyemang responded to the United States in the 35th minute, and David then brought the winner home in the 59th minute. The Americans couldn’t answer, and in six months at Pochettino, they fell to 5-3, responsible for next year’s home World Cup.
After decades looking up at the Americans, Canada has turned the table in its biggest football game – although the game has no obvious political hues after the dissonance created in 4-national hockey games last month on the bombing and exaggerated rhetoric and tariff wars by President Donald Trump.
Canada has beaten the United States for the first time in a row since 1985, where the Americans competed for the World Cup opening next year after winning a friendly match at Sofi Stadium, south of downtown Los Angeles last September. Canada has not won a competitive match in the United States since the 1957 World Cup qualifiers.
Canadian captain Alphonso Davies stood out in the 12th minute after Bayern Munich defender apparently held his right knee. Davis went to the locker room, but later in the first half, there was ice on his knees. Bayern will face Milan OM’s Champions League quarter-finals on April 8.
David’s goal is the striker’s 32nd place in Canada, expanding his record as a professional scoring leader in the national team. He created it from Ali Ahmed’s pass, found the seam in the leaky defense and shot his left foot.
Canadian coach Jesse Marsch received a red card five minutes ago as they objected to the fact that it seemed right in the free throw area. A Wisconsin native, Marsch, saw it instantly through the television broadcast in the lobby just before David connected, apparently looking for TV to watch the game. Mars finally found a seat in the stands and watched the last few minutes.
The Americans went into third place after losing 1-0 to Panama on Thursday night. Cecilio Waterman scored in the winners during the second half injury time, but the United States did not make a major threat before Panama ensured that the United States would not win the National League Championship for the first time.
Canada lost 2-0 to other national league semifinals.
The Americans won the first three versions of the CONCACAF Championship, but they had little shooting or acuity in two games with Sofi, which will host the World Cup opening for the U.S. team.
Pochettino expressed regret for the Americans’ lack of offensive creativity and scoring against Panama, making five changes to the starting lineup against Canada. Two of the starters impressed: Luna is a Gulf native who offers entertainment in the first U.S. competition, while Charlotte forward Agyemang, 24, scored at the start of his first competition.
Canada was hit with a strong attack in the first half, with David’s block falling in front of an unmarked Oluwaseyi who knocked him home. The goal sparked a frenzy celebration in the Canadian fan section of the northern goal.
Eight minutes later, the United States answered with impressive property. Timothy Weah took a strong run and found Luna, whose clever pass hit a good enough hit at Agyemang, and Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair got only a portion.
Captain America Christian Pulisic stood out in the 69th minute of his second straight scoreless appearance this week.
The Americans remained pressing until the last whistle, and defender Max Arfsten missed the good opportunity Luna and Weah created in injury time.
Arfsten and backup guard Marlon Fossey made their debut.
