February 27, 2011--Canada Denied By U.S. In Final (from TorontoFC.ca)

Canada Denied By U.S. In Final
A strong start by U17 squad finishes in 3-0 extra time defeat.
TorontoFC.ca
February 27, 2011

Three U.S. goals in extra time, including a wonder strike from distance, ended Canada’s hopes of lifting the CONCACAF U17 trophy as the United States won the final 3-0 over the Canadians.

It was Canada’s first loss of the tournament and the only goals the team conceded in five matches. Despite the loss, Canada is through to the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico and second place is its highest showing ever in this tournament.

Four Toronto FC Academy players, Parker Seymour (#6), Jay Chapman (#16), Michael Petrasso (#20) and Keven Aleman (#10) received the start for Canada.

Wearing their red kits and looking dangerous early, Canada had two chances to score inside the first 13 minutes.

First, Chapman forced a turnover in front of the U.S. 18-yard box at the ninth minute, but was unable to knock the ball past the charging American keeper, Kendall McIntosh. 

Four minutes later Canada broke quickly and Aleman cut the ball to his less favoured right foot for a 20-yard effort from the edge of the box that sailed over the bar.

Aleman was clattered at the 28th minute on another chance in the opening period when his Toronto teammate Petrasso played him through on goal. Aleman collided with McIntosh and was upended after the ball skipped too far ahead of the speedy forward.

Throughout the first half Petrasso’s physical style combined with the opportunistic Chapman and an industrious Aleman caused discomfort for the U.S. whenever Canada went on the attack. Seymour wasn’t afraid to leave the back and venture forward on occasion, but the Canadians were unable to finish.

In the second half, Canada survived an early scare when goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau punched a corner toward his own goal. Luckily it was cleared off the line by a defender.

The U.S. dominated much of the play in the second half and more nervousness from Crepeau nearly gifted Marc Anthony Pelosi a chance to score for the U.S., but Canada escaped again.

Aleman was effectively marked out by the United States as the match progressed and despite the addition of powerful Jordan Hamilton at the restart to replace Chapman, chances for Canada became few and far between.

Seymour’s tackles in the closing stages of the second half, combined with a strong effort from Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Bryce Alderson to thwart the Americans in the middle of the park helped Canada to repel several U.S. advances.

In the 67th minute Petrasso was substituted by Wesley Cain before the teams went into extra time, with the U.S. holding momentum.

The pro-Canadian crowd in Jamaica was stunned to silence just two minutes into extra time when U.S. defender Nathan Smith scored the goal of the tournament. The American fullback found some space from more than 35-yards and unleashed a right footer that flew past a diving Crepeau and ricocheted into goal off the far upright.

The U.S. doubled its advantage at the 100th minute when Andrew Oliver broke clear behind the Canadian backline, rounded Crepeau and deposited the ball into an open net.

Canada came close to getting one back at the 105th minute but Christopher Nanco was foiled by his first touch. In the second half of extra time Canada caused a ruckus in the U.S. box, reminiscent of a similar melee in regulation time, but once again the boys in red were unable to punch one through.

Identical red cards issued at the 117th minute to Oliver and Canada's Marco Lapenna forced the teams to play 10-aside for the remaining minutes, though in truth Canada was down to nine due to an injury to Luca Gasparotto.

U.S. second half substitute Alfred Koroma took advantage of Canada's shorthanded situation by poking a ball past Crepeau to make it 3-0 for the U.S. near the conclusion of extra time.

In the end the Canadian players left the muddy, rain-logged pitch in Jamaica tired, cramped and ultimately in second place. But they can hold their heads up high having registered Canada’s most successful ever showing at the biennial tournament. Canada will have a chance at redemption in the FIFA U17 World Cup that will take place in June.

Canada head coach Steve Fleming: "I'm very proud of our team. We have a great group of guys and they will work very hard towards the FIFA U-17 World Cup."

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