July 7, 2006 U-20 International Friendly Canada vs USA (from CSA press release)

Men’s U-20 Team
Friday, July 07, 2006
Canada Comeback Falls One Goal Short

Canadian Head Coach Dale Mitchell
Toronto, Ontario – Canada’s U-20 National Team fell to their CONCACAF rivals, USA, by a score of 2-1 on a beautiful evening at the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto. The Canadians pulled to within a goal after falling behind by two in the first half but could not find the elusive equalizer and will now hope to split the two-game series when the two teams reconvene in Kingston, ON on Sunday, July 9th.

The opening half hour was a battle for control of the midfield with genuine scoring opportunities at a premium – the best chance of the first thirty minutes fell to the foot of American Robbie Rogers, whose shot sailed high and well over David Monsalve’s goal from just inside the area.

But the chance would prove to be a warning to the Canadian defence that would go unheeded.

In the 31st minute, Rogers appeared to have gotten the better of Canadian new-boy Stefan Leslie but the Whitecaps defender did incredibly well to recover and wrestle possession back from the American. But Leslie dwelled far too long in possession and was stripped by Rogers 25 yards from the Canadian goal. The University of Maryland product then took two touches to clear his feet and hammered a shot into the roof of the Canadian goal for the game’s opener.

Seven minutes later the Americans stretched their lead to two when some delightful interplay at the top of the Canadian area sprung Josmer Altidore in alone on Monsalve. The Brampton-native did very well to block Altidore’s initial shot but the ricochet was not kind to Monsalve and the ball fell straight back to Altidore to coolly slide his shot into the empty goal.

The Canadians came back from the break with far more purpose and energy though, with the pace of second half substitutes Shane Lammie and AJ Gray posing several issues for the US wingbacks.

Twice Canada would come close – first after an Olivier Babineau free kick whistled just wide of the US goal, then ten minutes later, Massimo Di Ioia came within a hair of beating US keeper Mike Gustavson at his near post.

But eventually the Canadian pressure would pay off. AJ Gray managed to get around the US left back and tried to find Lammie inside the area but his cross took a deflection off the foot of Julian Valentin and settled into the back of Gustavson’s goal.

Canada would continue to press for the equalizer but the closest they would come would be a half chance that fell to the foot of Lammie but the angle was tight and the best the Canadian striker could do was lash his shot into the side netting.

“We were a bit disappointing in the first half but I was very pleased with how we responded in the second,” said Canadian Head Coach Dale Mitchell during his post-game scrum.

“When you play against the Americans you have to be prepared to compete physically because they are tremendously athletic boys. They are also technically very good and that’s why in our region, they are the best U-20 team, and we didn’t do the things we needed to do to stay with them in the first half.”

“But in the second half we competed hard and turned them around, got a goal, and for large moments of the second half had them on their back foot a little bit. Overall we gave the fans something to cheer about in the second half which is always good when you are home.”

Both teams will now travel to Kingston, ON where they will meet again on July 9th at Richardson Stadium at 7pm.

Tickets for the match at Richardson Stadium are still available and are priced at $29.00 for Centre Gold Reserved seating, $19.00 for Sideline Reserved seating, and $12.00 for General Admission seating. General Admission tickets for this match can be purchased at the Southeast Ontario Soccer Association at 613-546-6642, while all Reserved Seating can be purchased at the Physical Education Centre on the campus of Queen’s University at 613-533-6000 x 74715, and online at www.whatsonkingston.com and www.goldengaels.com.

Friday, July 7, 2006 - International Friendly
Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON
Attendance: 5,325
CANADA – 1 (0)
USA – 2 (2)
Goals: Canada – none; USA – Rogers 31, Altidore 37, Valentin (OG) 80
Cautions: Canada – none; USA – Beltran 65, Sanchez 92+
Expulsions – none
Referee: Hilario GRAJEDA (USA); 1st Assistant Referee: Lee Suckle; 2nd Assistant Referee: Claudio Badea; 4th Official: Isaac Raymond

CANADA: 1-MONSALVE, David; 2-OWUSU-ANSAH, Kennedy; 5-LUMLEY, Stephen; 7-TURNBULL, Masumi (3-GRAY, AJ, 46); 8-ELLIOTT (captain) (14-GALA, Gabe, 62), Alex; 9-DI IOIA, Massimo; 10-CONTRERAS, Hector (13-LAMMIE, Shane, 46); 11-BABINEAU, Olivier; 15-D’AGOSTINO, Mike; 16-LESLIE, Stefan (4-BALDE, Ibrahim, 46); 17-LORETH, Joey (6-ATTAKORA-GYAN, Nana, 46)
Head Coach: Dale Mitchell (CAN)
Subs not used: 12-MAYARD, Pierre-Rudolph; 22-CATLEY, Adam

USA: 24-GUSTAVSON, Mike; 2-DAVIES, Kyle; 3-IGWE, Amaechi; 4-VALENTIN, Julian (captain); 8-LOPEZ, Rodrigo (16-BROWN, Cameron, 72); 11-ROGERS, Robbie (17-GONZALEZ, Omar, 84); 13-WAGNER, Blake; 14-ALTIDORE, Josmer (9-SANCHEZ, Estuadro, 65); 15-RING, Brad; 19-BELTRAN, Tony; 22-ARGUEZ, Bryan (7-BONE, Corben, 65)
Head Coach: Thomas Rongen (USA)
Subs not used: 1-REIN, Marcus

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