The United States men’s soccer team suffered a humiliating 2-1 home defeat to Canada on Saturday, marking their first loss to their northern neighbors on home soil since 1957. The match, played in front of a half-full Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, exposed glaring defensive deficiencies and a lack of intensity that has plagued the team since their disappointing exit from the Copa America.
Canada took the lead in the 17th minute when Jacob Shaffelburg capitalized on a defensive miscue by Tim Ream. The Americans’ woes continued in the 58th minute when Jonathan David doubled Canada’s advantage after another Ream turnover. Luca de la Torre scored a consolation goal for the U.S. in the 66th minute, but it was too little, too late.
Interim U.S. coach Mikey Varas took responsibility for the team’s poor performance, acknowledging that the players lacked the necessary mentality and intensity. “The mentality is on the players. Sorry, they know it,” Varas said. “That mentality to fight and to run and to sacrifice, I can’t do that for them.”
The defeat extended the U.S.’s losing streak to three games, their longest since 2015. It also raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup, which begins in November.
Canada, on the other hand, celebrated their second victory over the U.S. in 27 matches on American soil. The win was a testament to the progress made by the Canadian team under American-born coach Jesse Marsch, who took over in May.
“I’m not bitter,” Marsch said. “Most people, if they ask me a question, I answer it. That’s how I operate in the media.”
The U.S. will have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday when they face New Zealand in Cincinnati. However, another defeat would raise further questions about the team’s direction and the future of Varas as interim coach.
