Sports

Canada earn valuable point against United States in World Cup qualifying


Cyle Larin scored with a touch of the ball from the feed from Alphonso Davies to tie the game in the 62nd minute after Brenden Aaronson had given the United States the lead seven minutes earlier

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The Canada men’s national football team continues to turn heads on the way to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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Canada came back from behind to draw the United States 1-1 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sunday, winning a valuable point in the final game of Concacaf qualifying.

Cyle Larin scored with a touch from Alphonso Davies to equalize in the 62nd minute, after Brenden Aaronson had given the United States the lead seven minutes earlier.

“I asked for hearts, I asked for a lot of hearts in this game; I asked every man to bring a high level of intensity and show their brethren that they were committed to each other and I think they did it,” said Canada head coach John Herdman . “I said the first game (draw 1-1 with Honduras), we were a bit exhausted, and the second half of the first game, we were closer to our level.

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“(Sunday) is a different kind of game, but I was really impressed with the way we did it on the site. They bonded, they fought for every game, so with each match, we became closer, more understanding and more coordinated.”

Along with taking the lead in the eight-team standings, Canada has kept the United States from getting two more teams at home.

After two out of 14 games, Canada is in third place on the standings behind Mexico and Panama. The top three teams automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth-placed team will advance to the continental playoffs for an extra spot in the 32-team tournament in Qatar.

Canada will take on El Salvador on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One) at BMO Field in Toronto in the third and final game of the current FIFA international window.

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“We were really disappointed about the draw, we felt as if we could have three points, but it’s a tough environment to come here and play; so we will move and wait for the next game,” said Canada defender Sam Adekugbe. “I think we just stuck with our game plan; We know what our focus is in the game.

“It’s disappointing to concede a goal, but there’s still plenty of time and we know we have to keep our spirits up. We’ve got a chance for ourselves and we just have to keep pushing and keep chasing. I think the way we reacted to the goal showed the mentality of the whole team, we stayed strong, we were positive and we kept creating our chances and in the end we were given what we deserved. worth. “

David Junior Hoilett (No. 10) of Canada moves the ball during a game against the United States during the second half of a World Cup qualifying match at Nissan Stadium on September 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Canada’s David Junior Hoilett (No. 10) moves the ball during a game against the United States during the second half of a World Cup qualifying match at Nissan Stadium on September 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Brett Carlsen’s photo /beautiful pictures

After being held to a draw in their opener, at home, against Honduras on Thursday, Canada went to Nashville to frustrate the United States and try to earn at least one draw.

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Canada started with a defensive formation, mainly playing with five at the back when there was no ball.

However, Davies, who played left-back at Bayern Munich and started in that position on his previous USA cap, played on the left side of midfield and made it difficult for the Americans with his pace. in counterattacks.

Canada’s first good opportunity came when Davies chased United States full-back Sergino Dest in a long ball from goalkeeper Milan Borjan, then edged past the Barcelona defender, dribbling alone into goal. Unable to make a clear lane in front of goal, Davies came down and cut the ball to Larin, who hit a shot from the box, which goalkeeper Matt Turner could save.

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United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) plays shoulder to shoulder with Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) during their CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers at Nissan Stadium.
United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) plays shoulder to shoulder with Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) during their CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers at Nissan Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel’s photo /USA TODAY Sports

At the other end, the United States had their share of the opportunity in the first half. Two of the best goals came from Canadian defender Scott Kennedy, who hit a high cross but headed the ball into his net, prompting Borjan to make a save. Then he blocked a shot that went around and just went over the net.

“We had a clear plan for the game,” Herdman said. “We’ve had phases in the game where we’re going to focus intently on certain things – make, execute, change, execute, execute, change – and that’s what the people This player is doing in the whole game. There were small changes going on throughout the game and I think they did well.”

Canada was able to keep the game scoreless in the first half, but a 10th minute concession by Kennedy resulted in the United States’ goal. Kennedy lost the ball in his half and the United States quickly turned, resulting in Aaronson touching a low cross from Antonee Robinson.

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Undeterred, Canada abandoned its defensive approach and took the game into the hands of the United States. Davies was brought on from the left flank with a brilliant pass from Adekugbe, surging past defender DeAndre Yedlin and crossing the net for Larin to cross.

After the match ended, Canada had a better chance of taking the lead, including a penalty appeal when Tajon Buchanan was cut down in the box by defender Tyler Adams, but Jamaican referee Nation Oshane omitted.

“I think the old Canada, after we gave up on the first target, would either collapse a little or weaken a bit,” Adekugbe said. “But we used that time to take deep breaths and push in the right direction. We’re going to take this point, but it’s not a team mentality, a team mentality is to take three points and there were moments to win for both sides, but we felt we had a chance. better assembly in the end. “

Email: dvandhest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDhest

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