September 08, (THEWILL) – Canada earned a historic victory against the United States in a friendly football match on Saturday, winning 2-1 in Kansas City. This marked Canada’s first away win over their North American rivals in 67 years, with their last such triumph dating back to a 1957 World Cup qualifier in St. Louis.
Jacob Shaffelburg opened the scoring for Canada in the first half, capitalising on a defensive error by the US team. Jonathan David doubled the lead in the second half, putting the visitors in a commanding position. The US managed to pull one back through substitute Luca de la Torre, but it was not enough to prevent their first home defeat to Canada since 1957.
The result adds to the recent struggles of the US national team, following their early exit from the Copa America in July. The defeat comes amidst reports that former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is set to take over as the new US head coach, with an announcement expected soon.
Canada’s victory was well-deserved, with the team creating numerous chances throughout the match. US goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made several crucial saves to prevent a more lopsided scoreline. The Canadian team, under the guidance of coach Jesse Marsch, displayed superior organisation and effectiveness on the pitch.
For the United States, this loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead as they look to rebuild and improve their national team. With Pochettino reportedly poised to take the helm, the focus will be on addressing the defensive vulnerabilities and lack of cohesion exposed in this match against their northern neighbours.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
