Canada proves to be real test for U.S. despite elimination loss at Gold Cup

The Canadian males’s workforce on Sunday was on the verge of recording its first victory over the United States on American soil since 1957. 

But after placing in a superb workforce efficiency in battling the Americans to a 2-2 draw following 120 minutes of regulation and additional time, the Canadians couldn’t fairly maintain their nerve towards their southern neighbours, dropping 3-2 in a dramatic shootout within the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium. 

While Canada will declare the ethical victory and head residence with its head held excessive, the U.S. strikes on and can meet Panama in Wednesday’s semifinals in San Diego. 

Here’s what occurred throughout Sunday’s match between Canada and Guadeloupe in case you missed it… 

GAME RECAP IN A SENTENCE     

Canada equalized in second-half damage time after which took the lead within the 109th minute, solely to concede an own-goal 4 minutes later earlier than succumbing to the Americans in a penalty shootout. 

MAIN STORYLINE 

Canada didn’t win, but it surely did achieve one thing priceless 

A 4-2 win over Cuba in its closing first spherical match allowed Canada to advance to the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup. But by advantage of ending second place in Group D, the Canadians set themselves as much as face the United States, the match’s prime seed and defending champions. Had Canada completed atop Group D, it could’ve had a a lot simpler take a look at vs. Jamaica within the quarterfinals. 

But Canadian coach John Herdman wasn’t moaning about having to face the Americans. In reality, he was fairly happy with how issues turned out. 

“We were pretty clear coming into this match (about) which team we wanted to play and what game we wanted to experience in the Gold Cup. The football Gods have given us our derby match (vs. the U.S.),” Herdman stated after the win over Cuba.  

Herdman understands that the trail of least resistance at this Gold Cup wouldn’t have helped his workforce. A matchup towards Jamaica would’ve meant a better path to the ultimate, however Herdman is taking part in the lengthy sport right here. Canada is getting set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and he doesn’t need a repeat of final yr in Qatar the place the Reds have been eradicated after three losses. He’s making ready Canada to be aggressive and make an enduring impression on residence soil in three years. 

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In order for Canada to try this, to be able to get to the subsequent degree, and to be able to actually set up itself because the “Kings of Concacaf,” it wants to check itself towards one of the best groups on the planet. The U.S. is eleventh within the present FIFA world rankings, whereas Canada is forty fifth. However, the hole appeared razor skinny on Sunday, as Herdman’s aspect pushed the U.S. to the brink of elimination.   

For 120 minutes, Canada traded blows with the U.S. and prevented them from getting a agency maintain on the sport earlier than the hometown followers in Cincinnati. The Canadian midfield and defence have been completely aligned in shutting down the Americans’ high-powered assault, particularly match prime scorer Jesus Ferreira. When the U.S. did have attractiveness on aim, it was routinely thwarted by Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. 

When the U.S. took the lead within the 88th minute, Canada’s coronary heart seemed to be damaged. But the guests got a lifeline when American defender Miles Robinson was judged to have dealt with the ball in damage time. Steven Vitória equalized from the penalty spot, and abruptly the U.S. seemed determined as the sport continued on. 

Canada discovered a brand new gear in additional time because of the dynamic attacking play of Jacob Shaffelburg who gave his nation the lead within the 109th minute. That aim surprised the Cincinnati crowd into silence, earlier than it got here again to life after the U.S. levelled the rating courtesy of a Scott Kennedy own-goal. 

The U.S. in the end prevailed within the penalty shootout. But the hosts have been made to earn it towards a resolute Canadian workforce that confirmed it may possibly cling with the highest nation within the Concacaf area. 

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When chatting with reporters after Sunday’s loss, Herdman doubled down on his feedback from earlier within the week about desirous to play the U.S. Even in defeat, Canada’s coach rightly noticed loads of worth in how his workforce carried out on the evening. 

“It’s the game we wanted. Coming into this tournament, the players, the staff, the fans — Canada wanted to play the U.S. more than any team… I’m really proud of my (guys). They dug in, they showed quality at times. We were able to test our depth as a squad and show that there’s depth for 2026. There are players that with more opportunity can push and hopefully take that next step in their football careers,” Herdman stated. 

BEST GOAL OF THE GAME     

Substitute Jacob Shaffelburg gave Canada the lead within the 109th with a highlight-reel particular person effort. After the U.S. misplaced possession simply contained in the Canadian half, the ball got here to Shaffelburg who effortlessly galloped down the left aspect as he breezed previous an American defender earlier than arrowing a shot from contained in the penalty space previous goalkeeper Matt Turner and contained in the far publish. It was Shaffelburg’s first worldwide aim for his nation. 

STAT OF THE GAME

BEST QUOTE   

“While it’s painful — it really is painful to be up 2-1 in extra time — you then look on the other side and see (several young players) coming in and having big performances. Obviously, Jacob Shaffelburg, for me, he knocked it out of the park coming into the game.” — John Herdman. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CANADA 

The Canadian males’s workforce doesn’t presently have any pleasant video games on its schedule, and until that adjustments it received’t return to motion till November when 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League qualifying begins. 

THREE STARS OF THE GAME 

1) Dayne St. Clair (Canada): The Canadian goalkeeper was completely good in solely his fourth look for his nation, making six saves over 120 minutes, together with a pair of stops that robbed the Americans of positive targets. 

2) Gianluca Busio (United States): The American midfielder ran himself ragged for 120 minutes and completed with a game-high eight photographs. He additionally transformed his try within the penalty shootout.  

3) Jacob Shaffelburg (Canada): He gave the Canadians an on the spot elevate when he got here off the bench within the 86th minute along with his tempo and dynamic play. Scored what seemed to be the winner in additional time.  

John Molinaro is without doubt one of the main soccer journalists in Canada, having lined the sport for over 20 years for a number of media retailers, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is presently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a web site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic may be discovered right here.