How large will the loss of McKennie & Dest loom, we will know in just about 2 hours, a loud crowd is loving this pregame. Canada must be very hopeful with players out others in. Do not have false hope, it was a weak Mexico team the USA beat just days ago. Do not get me wrong I do fully expect the USMNT to prevail.
Musah beats 2 and one grabs him by the arm at midfield. First go on goal by Reyna. Great to see Scally in there, he grew up just up the road from the father of Pulisic. Weah, with speed to burn, burns his man sends it in is it played over the endline for a corner. Scally he can get it, he runs it down, and sends it in as Zimmerman lets one rip from inside the area but well wide. These shots, first time show how dangerous you are, this is how to play. Right back the other way and it goes right at Turner. Musah has the ball played to him and they get forward a bit until Canada plays it out of touch. Pulisic gives to Weah and is nearly in as he finds his player who cannot turn on it in the 6. Balogun shows some skill and power, ripping a shot after creating some space, wins a corner. The head of Chris Richards sends it home at 12’ for the opening salvo. What a way to get your first tally at the international level! The first goal is key here, takes pressure off and puts it on the other forces them to chase the game and more. With 11 passes, the US still has it in their own half, the 12th, has Reyna fouled in the center circle and a yellow for Canada at 16’. On the restart, Balogun called for a foul, he and I both missed it. Scally picks a pass in the area clears it up and out. Musah, run into and is down grimacing. Canada goes endline, gets it across but into the side netting. Zimmerman over Larin who is on the ground, Walker and the ref are now having a discussion. Davies knocked down by Aaronson and remains down for a bit. The fouls on Musah are adding up, is a yellow for persistent infringement coming for Canada? Balogun with a great effort from the head of Walker gets sandwiched and is still down. Pulisic gets it forward, his cross is put over the endline another corner, he then pumps the crowd up. Reyna holds off a defender gets it to Balogun, 2-0 USA 35’. His first time shot was stuck with confidence and authority. Canada has just turned up their press. Turner come up big as and a ball from the top of the area is struck well. Turner passes another test from a bit of a distance. Balogun turns in the area, beats one but his momentum carries him away and loses the ball to the second man. Canada are getting numbers forward, Reyna gets it, fully beats his man, it gets to Pulisic who is fouled. DFK at 30 yards, I am sure this goes on goal, but would not rule out a through ball as a pass. Rolled off to Weah his strike is parried away, bound for the lower corner of the net. An almost own goal of spectacular fashion as a defender leapt for a ball headed it back on goal forcing the Canada GK into a full extension save. Each team has a player down as Reyna is clipped and flies into another player of Canada. The right foot right at the ankle seems to be the area of concern for Gio. With trainers, he is limping about, there are maybe 2 minutes left in extra time, leave him out, evaluate over the half to see what to do with him. Davies makes a run, his effort into the area played over the endline by Scally who also plays in Germany. The corner gets into the 6, cleared by the US. Pulisic runs it down and gets kicked for his efforts and a yellow gets issued. He remains down seems more out of frustration as he is now up and over the ball. Just beyond the now blonde Scally, it bounces around and the half ends.
The end of the half saw Canada get forward as they had not all game, that must be addressed and again as ever, more shots need to be taken. Turner has done well when called upon, and Pulisic has gotten much more involved in the game.
Zimmerman again puts Larin to the ground and is called for it. Davies from ten yards skies a shot. Another corner for the US, a player trying to hold off Scally is just getting moved by him. De La Torre for Pulisic, his shot is put over the endline, the corner gets to Richards who forces the GK to a great save, new corner. Richards to it and the point blank shot by Balogun is saved, a bang bang play. Balogun again dragged down, this time just outside the area no call. David with a great shot but it rises above the frame for Canada. Canada with a corner that lands at the edge of the 6 and goes over the endline. Davies gets sprung, beats Scally, his ball into the 6 cleared by Robinson. Buchanan of the Revs is coming on for Canada. Get a set piece get it on goal, it works its way to A. Robinson who with a first time shot may have done something but instead, nothing doing. Larin in succession uses both feet, one is blocked next shot over the net. Cardozo who plies his trade in Brazil is coming on for Aaronson, who gets pushed by a player of Canada to get off the field faster. Weah for Pulisic who tries in vain to shoot through a crowd. Puilisic and Balogun together get the ball in the area, Pulisic goes down in a heap as the ball goes out of play. Weah works back to counter the speed of Davies, Scally and Phonsie get tangled and Scally got the worst of it , there is a stretcher out for him. Balogun comes out for Pepi. Scally is now waiting to return. The pace of the game is getting faster, not a good thing for the USA. An unforced error and here come Canada. Stolen away just outside of the area, it goes out of play off the US and Trusty is now going to come on for Scally. Cardoso carded for time wasting, then the same for Turner. De La Torre cannot turn the ball and it goes out of touch. Musah heads a corner out of danger and here go the US again. Pepi fighting for the ball loses it to Buchanan. Canada has had the ball in the US end for a while, they may just get one here. Pepi gets back on D, makes a stop but gives it right back. Just 6’ to go, Canada wants so much to get one now. Davis stuffs Davies and pumps up the crowd as he also gets the goal kick. Pulisic, run into, not happy with the ref, refuses his hand to rise. Pulisic just pulled up grabbing his hamstring and is now stretching, not a good look. A non contact injury he sought to accelerate past a player and that was that. He seems to be moving well now. Now just 5’ of extra time between the US and yet another trophy. Great ball movement by Canada but no trailing runner to put it home at 95’. All smiles on the US bench and it is over.