USMNT Defeat Canada 1-0 for Fourth Straight Win

ST. PAUL, Minn – In the fourth and final international match of the fall window, the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Canada 1-0 in a physical and intense contest to earn the team’s fourth consecutive win and second straight shutout that continued the program’s perfect record at Allianz Field.

The meeting between the Concacaf neighbors and fellow Round of 16 participants at FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded a three-week long camp for the U.S. In four matches across September and October, the U.S. tallied four victories, two clean sheets, 12 goals and 13 debutants to showcase an exciting blend of veteran leadership and young talent and finish the first window of the FIFA World Cup 2030 cycle on a soaring note under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino rotated his lineup heavily again tonight, making six changes to the group that started Saturday’s match against Mexico. The five holdovers were fullback Alex Freeman, midfielder Gio Reyna, midfielder Malik Tillman, defender Auston Trusty and center back Chris Richards.

Richards captained the USMNT for the fourth time and first since March 31, 2026, against Portugal. In goal, Brian Schwake of Nashville SC earned his first international start, becoming the fourth different goalkeeper to start for the U.S. in this window.

Starting XI & Lineup Notes: USMNT vs. Canada

The home side started the match against Canada in control of possession and patient on the ball, drawing five fouls from the opponent before committing its first. Overall, the Canadians committed 13 fouls in the first half, the U.S. team keeping their poise as they continued to push for the opener. Nonetheless it was the visitors that managed the first shot, a laser that forward Tani Oluwaseyl fired well wide of goal in the 10th minute. A short pass on a direct free kick in the 13th minute led to a low shot from forward Liam Miller that rolled wide.

The teams went back-and-forth trying to find the final pass that would break the opponent’s line, and Canada put a couple shots on target to test the USA’s first-time starter.

In the 24th minute, the U.S. had one of its best defensive moments of the first half after Canada turned over a play quickly for a chance from close range. A pass slipped through in front of goal, and defender George Campbell, earning his third cap, put his boot on the ball for a strong block inside the six-yard box.

Like Saturday’s win over Mexico, the U.S. broke through with a goal from one of the team’s young forwards. This time it was Justin Ellis, who also scored the fastest goal by a debutant in USMNT modern history against Peru. The teenager striker for Orlando City SC got on the end of a Freeman cross after a delightful exchange with Malik Tilllman to open the scoring on the night. The first half ended with a couple of corner kicks for the U.S., including one that Trusty put on his laces but skied over frame.

Teams were allowed to make 11 substitutions, and Pochettino made his first at the halftime break, sending on forward Julian Hall, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and wingback Sergiño Dest for Ellis, Reyna and midfielder Yunus Musah, who earned his 50th career cap at the age of 24.

The USMNT’s defense continued to protect its one-goal lead heading into the second 45. In the opening minutes of the half, Freeman showed tremendous effort to hunt down a 50-50 ball toward the endline and save the ball from rolling out of bounds for a Canada corner kick. Moments later, the 22-year-old intercepted a pass around the halfway mark to halt Canada’s attack from progressing.

In the 61st minute, Pochettino sent on forward Cole Campbell as a substitute, marking the international debut of the 20-year-old for SV Elversberg. With Campbell’s appearance, all 28 players on Pochettino’s roster earned at least one cap in the four-match stretch.

Moments later, the U.S. stopped a golden chance for Canada on a direct free kick from the left side of the pitch. Defender Luc de Fougerolles received the kick that was floating toward the far post, and he launched a strike on frame. Schwake stretched his reach to push the shot into the crossbar with his big glove for one of his three saves of the match.

The final minutes of the match required a collective defensive effort to hold off a Canada side motivated to equalize. Schwake collected a near post shot in the 83rd and together, the Americans stood firm to hold a one-goal lead for more than 60 minutes and earn the group’s second straight clean sheet.

Tuesday’s match concludes fall camp for the USMNT. The next FIFA window opens Nov. 9 and the team will face Haiti in the Quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League in a home-and-home series. The first match will be played Nov. 14 at a site to be determined, with the return leg slated for Nov. 17 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Goal Scoring Rundown:

USA – JUSTIN ELLIS (ALEX FREEMAN), 29th minute: Freeman on the right side of the pitch received a ball into space from Malik Tillman on a give-and-go. The fullback carried the ball toward goal with two dribbles, then looked up to pinpoint his target on the other side of Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. He pushed a ball toward the far post from about eight yards from goal, and Ellis came flying in with a first-time touch from close range to drive a shot into the back of the net. USA 1, CAN 0