The United States men’s national team lost to Canada on home soil for the first time in 67 years as the Canucks secured a 2-1 friendly win in front of a sparse crowd at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday.
Incoming U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t on the sidelines for the loss as USMNT U-20 head coach Mikey Varas oversaw the game.
The USMNT were also without the likes of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Timothy Weah and Sergiño Dest.
The game was advertised as a USMNT fan appreciation game, but man did the fans not show up. Children’s Mercy Park, home of MLS side Sporting KC, holds 18,467 people. On Saturday the stadium appeared about 25% filled as empty seats dotted the venue.
USMNT attendance vs Canada was brutal
The attendance for the USMNT vs Canada is probably around 2000-3000 people.
What an embarrassment, thanks to the US Soccer Federation and its incompetence over the years.They should have just given tickets for free.— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) September 7, 2024
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the reasoning for the poor turnout was. The USMNT have struggled in the past to fill MLS stadiums for friendlies, but Saturday’s game was another echelon of pathetic.
An official attendance wasn’t announced, but we’d reckon it was in the 5,000 to 8,000 range. A mixture of high ticket prices, a number of stars missing, the game being a friendly, Pochettino not present and college football being on likely contributed to the emptiness at Children’s Mercy Park.
The USMNT players matched the energy in the stands as the first half was arguably one of the sloppiest and ugliest 45-minutes in recent national team history. Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was given the start for the U.S. and the 23-year-old prevented the game from being a blowout with several big saves.
Patrick Schulte comes up big for the USMNT
Watch the match live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/u7JqdJd12s— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 7, 2024
Jesse Marsch’s Canada outclassed the Americans in every area and were rewarded for their play with the opening goal. A poor Johnny Cardoso give away led to a simple Canada opener.
Jacob Shaffelburg gives Canada an early 1-0 lead over the USMNT
Watch the match live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/3qUm1zYier— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 7, 2024
After the first 45 minutes the USMNT managed just a single shot while Marsch’s side recorded NINE with four on target.
In the second half another slapdash turnover in the back led to Canada’s second goal. Tim Ream was the guilty party this time as Jonathan David doubled the lead in the 58th minute.
Jonathan David makes it 2-0 ✌️
Watch USA vs. Canada live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/XywUJuXuMm— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 7, 2024
The U.S. attempted to mount a comeback with greater spells of possession going forward. Luca de la Torre recorded his first international goal thanks to a clever assist from Aidan Morris.
Luca de la Torre gets one back with his first goal for the USMNT
Watch USA vs. Canada live on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/mziR2lU6Hh— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 7, 2024
While the friendly defeat ultimately doesn’t mean anything, it feels like a fitting exclamation point to what has been an awful summer for the USMNT.
The U.S. will play one more friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Another poor turnout seems likely.
