LOS ANGELES, United States, Oct 7, (NET) – US teen Justin Ellis scored the only goal as Mauricio Pochettino’s young team ground out victory against Canada 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.
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.
Across four games, seven of 12 US goals were scored by teenagers, as Pochettino handed debuts to 13 new players in a major reset following his side’s disappointing last-16 exit at this summer’s home World Cup. “I think it was perfect, the camp. The results were there,” said Pochettino. “I think if we keep that mentality, that mindset, everything is possible.” 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.
