USMNT Defeats Canada in International Friendly, Continues Undefeated Streak

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) secured a 1-0 victory over Canada in an international friendly match held in St. Paul, Minnesota, capping an undefeated stretch of friendlies under manager Mauricio Pochettino. Nineteen-year-old striker Justin Ellis scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute, assisted by World Cup standout Alex Freeman.

This win marks another triumph for the U.S. against Canada across various sports this year, following previous victories in ice hockey and baseball. Ellis, who plays for Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer, has been a notable addition to the squad, scoring his second goal in as many friendlies after netting a free kick in his debut against Peru. He was also called up for friendlies against Chile and Mexico, contributing to wins of 4-2 and 3-0, respectively. The team also defeated Peru 4-1 earlier in this friendly series.

Ellis, eligible to represent Uruguay through his mother, has drawn attention from international coaches, including a visit from Uruguay's head coach Diego Forlán. Despite the absence of key player Christian Pulisic, who is still recovering from a bone bruise and microfracture sustained during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, other players have stepped up to secure these results. The team's performance suggests continued development under Pochettino as they look toward future competitions.

Former professional soccer player and Seattle Sounders chaplain Jesse Bradley noted the team's public faith, with players participating in Bible studies and prayer after games, suggesting this aspect contributes to uniting Americans through the increasingly popular sport.