CARSON, CA – FEBRUARY 5: Jozy Altidore #17 of the United States battles with Steven Vitoria #15 of Canada during the first half of their international friendly soccer match at StubHub Center February 5, 2016 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

U.S. men’s national team nips Canada, 1-0

Posted by on Feb 6, 2016 01:04

Jozy Altidore nodded home a perfectly delivered cross from substitute Ethan Finlay to help the United States take a 1-0 win over Canada at the Stub Hub Center Friday night.

It was the first goal for either team in head-to-head action in 277 minutes, and it offset a night of wasted opportunities in front of goal for the Toronto FC striker.

“Ethan did this all through January camp,” Altidore said of the winning goal. “He’s really good out wide. The ball scores the goal. The pace of it, the positioning of it, I just had to be there to knock it in.”

The win completes the January camp for the U.S. national team, and with two wins in as many matches, Altidore and his teammates are looking to turn the page on a disappointing 2015.

“Look, we know we didn’t have the best year last year,” he said. “I think it’s more about us than anybody else to make sure we go out there, and the effort — the fight is there. Sometimes, the soccer won’t be perfect. But we’ve got to put a little more into it at times.”

The United States out-shot Canada, 17-4, and may have had a few more goals were it not for the efforts of keeper Maxime Crépeau. Crépeau was outstanding in his senior team debut, and was unquestionably the bright spot for the side.

The Americans will visit Guatemala on March 25 for a World Cup qualifier before hosting them four days later. Canada will play its own set of qualifiers against Mexico on the same dates.

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About Randy Capps

South Carolina native, Fulham apologist, writer and sports fanatic.

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