Ellis goal gives young USMNT 1-0 win over Canada, perfect fall window
The U.S. men's national team beat Canada 1-0 on Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, to finish its fall window 4-0. Justin Ellis scored off an Alex Freeman cross. The Americans next play Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November.
The U.S. men's national team beat Canada 1-0 on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. The win gave coach Mauricio Pochettino a perfect 4-0 record in the fall international window, after earlier wins over Peru, Chile and Mexico.
Orlando City striker Justin Ellis scored the only goal off an Alex Freeman cross from the right. ESPN timestamps the finish in the 29th minute, while AS USA's match log has it at the 28th; both outlets credit the Freeman assist.
The rest of the night was a physical, back-and-forth game that ESPN called feisty. The teams combined for 43 fouls and four yellow cards, including cards for Giovanni Reyna and Malik Tillman of the U.S. and Jonathan David of Canada. Canada had more shots, seven to five, and won eight corners, but U.S. goalkeeper Brian Schwake made three saves to keep the shutout.
Pochettino kept mixing youth and experience. He made six changes from the team that beat Mexico 3-0 on Saturday, ESPN reported, and gave winger Mathis Albert his first career start. Both coaches emptied their benches. Julian Hall, the teenager who had scored in each of his first three games, came on at halftime but did not score, and Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest also played off the bench.
This was more than a routine friendly. Canada had won the last meeting 2-1 in March 2025, and this summer it reached the round of 16 at the World Cup, its best finish ever. Canada coach Jesse Marsch is a former U.S. player and assistant coach, and he came in without Alphonso Davies and several injured regulars.
The window was a strong start to the new cycle after the 2026 World Cup. Saturday's win over Mexico was the team's first over a top-10 ranked side since 2021, U.S. Soccer said, and 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan became the youngest scorer in team history in that game.
The Americans return in November for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. They will play Haiti home and away for a spot in next year's semifinals.
What we know: The U.S. won all four games this window and faces Haiti next.
What we don't: Which of the young players Pochettino will keep for November.
Where outlets agree ESPN and AS USA both report the U.S. beat Canada 1-0 on a Justin Ellis goal from an Alex Freeman cross.
Where they differ ESPN timestamps Ellis's goal at the 29th minute, while AS USA's match log lists it at the 28th.