July 7, 2006 U-20 International Friendly Canada vs USA (from Canada Press)

U.S. edges Canada in U-20 friendly

TORONTO (CP) - The Canadians came close, but the clock ran out before they could complete a second-half comeback against the United States.

"Ten more minutes and we would have taken it," said Canadian striker Shane Lammie, who missed two chances to tie the game as time wound down.

Instead, a pair of first-half goals by Robbie Rogers and Josmer Altidore stood up as the U.S. held on for a 2-1 victory in an under-20 friendly played at an open Rogers Centre on Friday.

"We took our chances well in the first half," said U.S. coach Thomas Rongen. "Our inability to keep possession allowed Canada to get back into the game in the second half. They put us on our heels."

Canada got on the board thanks to an own-goal by American captain Julian Valentin, who deflected A.J. Gray's cross into his own net in the 80th minute.

"We won the second half, 1-0," said Lammie, who nearly tied the game two minutes later, only to have U.S. goalie Mike Gustavson get down in time to block his close-range shot.

Lammie came close again with two minutes remaining, blasting a shot into the side netting.

"It surprised me," the Toronto native said of the scoring opportunity. "I'm a right-footed player and it came to my left foot. I just swung at it. I did all I could."

Canada has won just once in its past 14 outings after a four match-winning streak that led to a berth at the 2005 World Youth Championships.

The Canadians also failed to end a drought against its southern rival that dates back nearly four years. The last time Canada beat the United States was a 3-2 victory in November, 2002. They've lost all six meetings since.

Canada will hope to improve its form before hosting the 2007 World Youth Championships, with games scheduled for six cities across the country next June and July.

"We need a lot of games like this, even if they end up being defeats, to get us ready for next year," said Canadian coach Dale Mitchell. "We know that we'll have a team that can compete."

Mitchell was encouraged by his team's second-half success.

"We needed to change our approach and get a little bit stronger physically," he said. "We were getting out-battled in the first half. We started to play a little bit more directly and get the ball in behind their defence."

Canadian captain Alex Elliott also saw the silver lining.

"We showed that we have a deep bench," he said. "Guys came on and did their job."

With several players away on duty with European and Major League Soccer clubs, both countries fielded depleted line-ups before vocal pro-Canadian crowd of 5,325.

"It's always fun to play for a home crowd," said Elliott. "We don't get that opportunity very often."

Rogers opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a spectacular shot from 25 yards out. After losing possession to Canadian defender Stefan Leslie inside the box Rogers raced back to win the ball, then turned and fired past goalie David Monsalve and into the top left corner.

Altidore doubled the advantage in the 37th minute thanks to a surging run by Amaechi Igwe.

Igwe carried the ball from inside his own half to the edge of the Canadian penalty area before slipping a through ball to Altidore. Monsalve raced out to block the shot, but watched helplessly as Altidore collected the rebound and tapped it into an open goal.

Gustavson was rarely troubled in the first half, making just one save on a low shot from Mike D'Agostino.

The Canadians also had a free kick just outside the American penalty box, but Masumi Turnbull's curling shot was blocked.

Lammie made an immediate impact after coming on at the half. The speedy striker cut inside his defender in the 57th minute, but his lay-off attempt was booted clear.

Two minutes later, the ball fell to Elliott inside the box, but his shot was blocked before it could reach the goal.

Massimo Di Ioia missed another good chance for the hosts, blasting a shot just wide of the post in the 77th minute.

The two teams will square off again in Kingston, Ontario on Sunday, July 9.

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