USMNT 1 - 2 Canada summary: score, goals, highlights | FIFA fixtures
USMNT - Canada: As it happened
USMNT fell to defeat against Canada in their first game since the summer's Copa America debacle.
Canada are the form team in CONCACAF and made a fast start at Children's Mercy Park, forcing a string of sharp saves from Patrick Schulte in the hosts' goal. When Canada did eventually find the breakthrough it was well-deserved, Jacob Shaffelburg firing home from close range .
USMNT were lucky to find themselves only one goal down at the break but they came out for the second half much improved. After a positive start the home crowd would have been frustrated to see veteran Tim Ream lose possession and hand Canada a second goal on the hourmark, as would any prospective new head coaches watching.
A double change from interim boss Mikey Varas saw Aidan Morris and Luca de la Torre enter the fray and both impressed. Soon after their arrival Morris and De la Torre combined well in the Canada box and the latter coolly slotted the ball past Maxime Crepeau.
Now 2-1 down, USMNT fought for an equaliser in the final 20 minutes but were kept at bay by a resolute Canadian defensive performance. Not the result that the US would have desired, but a fairly accurate reflection of where these two teams find themselves at the moment.
Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeeeeeep
Full time at Children's Mercy Park. Canada have picked up just a second-ever win over the United States on American soil.
The United States are back on the ball. There's maybe time for one last chance, if they can get the ball forward in time...
Joe Scally makes good ground on the right flank and tries to curl in a cross. His delivery strikes the hand of Alphonso Davies but the officials wave away claims of handball.
A double change for Canada. Stephen Afrifa and Nathan-Dylan Saliba come on for David and Choiniere.
Good play from Aidan Morris to spin away from challenge and fire a ball out to Cade Cowell on the right flank.
The Chivas forward tries to take on two recovering defenders but he is muscled out of it near the touchline.
We're going to have six minutes of added time at the end of the second half.
Still a chance for the United States.
Canada are readying another substitution as the second tick away at Children's Mercy Park.
The visitors mount a counter but the US defend well to prevent losing another goal.
This second half has definitely given reason to be optimistic for USMNT, who have caused problems in the second half. Can they fashion one more clear chance and snatch a draw?
Big chance for Pepi!
The US launch a swift counter-attack with Haji Wright sprinting through the middle. He slides the ball through to Pepi, who tries to chip the ball over Crepeau, but the Canadian keeper makes a sharp save.
The corner kick is whipped in but Cowell does well to head it clear.
Canada are managing to keep the US at arm's length, preventing them from building any momentum. The visitors win a corner kick, they'll take their time taking this.
Ricardo Pepi enters the fray, replacing Folarin Balogun for the hosts.
United States are trying to get something going in the final stages.
A long ball forward towards Cade Cowell is overhit. Another change is coming for the hosts.
The US struggle to get the ball clear from the corner but there's a foul called on Liam Millar, giving USMNT a free kick in their own box.
We're approaching the final ten minutes of normal time now. Canada come forward again and Joe Scally is forced to concede a corner kick.
Another USMNT change. Cade Cowell comes on for Brenden Aaronson.
A nice touch from Haji Wright opens up the field in the middle but he can't thread a ball through to Balogun. Good work from the Coventry man, anyway
Canada are enjoying a spell of keep-ball now, looking to take the sting out of this tentative USMNT reprieve. The US need to keep the game going at their tempo.
Watch: Luca de la Torre gets one back
Here's a look at the goal from LDLT, just minutes after he was brought on as a substitute. Is there hope for a USMNT comeback?
That will be Yunus Musah's last involvement today. He's replaced by Haji Wright.
Canada are forced to do some defending as Pulisic and Balogun combine well on the edge of the box.
USMNT win the resultant corner. Pulisic whips it into the middle and Musah's header is well-saved by Crepeau.
Derek Cornelius needs attention again. The medical staff are reinforcing the bandage on this head.
Jesse Marsch moves swiftly with a triple sub. Jonathan Osorio, Liam Millar, Tani Oluwaseyi come on for Canada. Shaffelburg, Larin and Eustaquio are replaced.
GOOOAAAAAAAAL! Luca de la Torre
What an impact! Good spell of play from the US finds Aidan Morris on the edge of the box. His first touch is loose but he does brilliantly to skip past a challenge and the ball falls to De la Torre, who finishes coolly.
Game on!
Good early touches from De La Torre and Morris in the middle, who will look to increase the pace of the US' play.
Cyle Larin
The Canadian forward is booked for delaying the taking of a free kick on the halfway line.
Double change in midfield for USMNT. Malik Tillman and Johnny Cardoso come off. Aidan Morris and Luca de la Torre replace them.
Christian Pulisic is down on the halfway line after a collision with Ritchie Laryea. There doesn't seem to be any major issue for the captain but it's hobbling as he gets to his feet.
That's a really frustrating one for the US to concede, coming after a promising start to the second half. We may well see some substitutions from Mikey Varas...
GOOOOOAAAAAAL! Jonathan David
A poor pass from Tim Ream puts his team in trouble and the loose ball falls to David in the box. He rifles the ball past Schulte and into the top corner.
Canada lead, 2-0.
Derek Cornelius appears to have taken a pretty severe whack to the face in that challenge from Balogun. The Canadian has a gash above his eyebrow and is now sporting a huge bandage around his head.
Folarin Balogun
The US forward is booked after he catches Cornelius with a loose arm in a challenge.
This has been a much better start to the half from USMNT, causing problems for Canada with sharp counter-attacks.
Another chance for Balogun
Sensational running from Kristoffer Lund, carrying the ball from coast to coast and sliding the ball through to Balogun. Again, the US striker sees his shot saved by Crepeau.
The rebound falls to Lund but he miscues his effort.
Balogun forces save from Crepeau
Christian Pulisic curls in a corner kick that lands at the feet of Malik Tillman. The PSV midfielder backheels the ball to Folarin Balogun who has space for a shot, but his effort is comfortably saved.
That's better from the US.
Ritchie Laryea takes aim from distance for Canada but his 25-yard effort flies wide of the target.
Canada win a free kick early in the second half.
Again they play it short before curling it into the box, but Lund is there to head the ball away at the near post.
Confirmation - no changes for either team at the break.
And we're back!
The US get the second half underway...
It doesn't look there's going to be any changes at the break for either team. The players are back on the field.
Patrick Schulte impresses in first 45
The Columbus Crew goalkeeper has been given the opportunity today and he's repaid the faith of Mikey Varas, making three big saves to keep the score to 1-0.
This save, denying Cyle Larin, was the pick of the bunch.
Interim boss has his say at the break
"We're a bit too static. We have the ball but we're not really going anywhere. We need to be brave and play the ball forward."
Peep peeeeep peeeeeeep
A few jeers as the first half draws to a close. Disappointing showing from the hosts, outplayed by Canada.
It's Canada with the ball in the final stages, quite content to keep possession until the break.
We're going to have one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
There's a bit of grappling on the touchline as Folarin Balogun and Ritchie Laryea clash. The referee sprints across to intervene and things calm down pretty quickly.
Schulte forced into action again
The US stopped makes a sharp instinctive save, scrambling across his line to deny Larin at the back post.
Schulte's been the US' best performer in the first half. Which tells its own story.
Lund and Pulisic try to combine on the left but a poor touch from the captain sees the move break down. A frustrating first half for Pulisic.
The United States are enjoying a bit of the ball now, looking to get something going in the final minutes of the first half. If they can find leveller that would really help to change the mood around the team.
Good pass from Cardoso to sweep the ball out to Joe Scally on the right. He advances and whips a cross into the box but it's booted clear by the visitors.
Jonathan David finds a pocket of space on the edge of the US box and fires from 20 yards out. He doesn't connect well and the ball bounces wide of the target.
Canada look to be targeting Johnny Cardoso now, pushing up to get tight to him whenever he's in possession facing his own goal. The Real Betic man needs to show his quality to resist the press.
A flash of quality from Pulisic to win a free kick for his team on the left flank.
He steps up to take the kick but it's a floated delivery, easily repelled by the Canadian backline.
We're into the final ten minutes of the first half now and it's not been a promising start from USMNT. They've struggle to build up from the back and their forward players have looked isolated.
Sensational save from Schulte denies Larin
Poor from Ream to lose the ball at the back. Larin pounces and sprints through on goal. He fires low and hard but the US goalkeeper makes a brilliant reflex save to his left.
USMNT survive.
Canada work the free kick short and make a good crossing angle form the right. It's a teasing delivery to the back post but Bombito and Ahmed get in each others' way, the ball bounces out for a US goal kick.
Johnny Cardoso is penalised for a clumsy foul of Jonathan David. The USMNT midfielder hasn't really looked settle so far this afternoon.
Christian Pulisic is felled as he sprints down the touchline. It's a free kick for the United States, Pulisic trudged to his feet.
Tim Ream has looked good in the first 27 minutes. Solid defensively and calm on the ball.
Early change for the visitors. Alastair Johnson is off, Richie Layrea comes on.
Brilliant defending from Moise Bombito to shield the ball as Pulisic races in on goal. The big Canadian does well to win his team a goal kick.
We're having a brief pause as Alastair Johnson requires medical treatment. A chance for both teams to get some liquids on too.
Big chance falls to Pulisic!
That's better from the US. Tillman and Aaronson do well to combine in midfield and chip the ball forward for Balogun. The striker nods the ball down to Pulisic but the USMNT captain can't direct his volley on target from a tight angle.
Ali Ahmed is penalised for an overly-physical challenge on Kristoffer Lund. Canada boss Jesse Marsch is on his feet applauding, he won't mind that.
The United States need a way back into this, Balogun is starting to look a bit isolated up front. We haven't seen much from Pulisic to influence the game so far.
Real disappointment for Mikey Varas as his team are caught playing out from the back. It was a poor touch from Cardoso that created the danger there, but the US had looked a bit slow in the build-up phase for the past few minutes.
There, they were punished.
GOOOOAAAAAL! Jacob Shaffelburg
Poor turnover from Johnny Cardoso on the edge of his own box and Jacob Shaffelburg punishes the USMNT lapse.
Canada lead!
Eustaquio comes close for Canada
USMNT are caught sleeping and Canada work the ball through to Eustaquio in the box. He turns and strikes at goal but his right-footed effort curls just wide of the far post.
That's a let-off for USMNT.
Watch: Patrick Schulte makes sharp early save
Here's a look at that stop from the US No. 1, denying Jonathan David in the opening minutes.
Sharp break from the US as Malik Tillman tears through the midfield, slipping the ball from Balogun on the right. He tries to combine with Tillman again but Canada manage to get enough bodies back to clear the danger.
Good stuff from USMNT there.
There's a good atmosphere coming from the home crowd at Children's Mercy Park, despite the stadium being only around half-full. There's a constant rhythm of a drum keeping the noise going.
Christian Pulisic is dispossessed on the halfway line by Eustaquio. The midfield is getting a little congested now.
Alastiar Johnson slides into a challenge to stop an advance from Yunus Musah on the left.
The US seem to be focusing their play on that side in the opening stages.
Good pass out from Ream gets USMNT on the offensive. Pulisic picks up the ball and tries to combine with Lund of the left but his pass is a little overhit and the ball runs out of play.
USMNT are continuing to play the ball around the back, looking confident on the ball. Lund is proving a useful outlet on the left flank.
Patrick Schulte forced into early save
Brilliant from Larin to clip the ball over the US defence for Jonathan David. He strikes the ball first-time and forces a sharp save from Schulte.
USMNT get the ball up-field and Balogun looks to take on Balogun in the box. The Canadian stands strong and wins the ball.
The United States are getting a good feel on the ball in the early stages, plenty of chance for Patrick Schulte to show how comfortable he is in possession.
Solid start from the new No. 1.
Immediately Canada win a corner kick. Shaffelburg swings in the kick but Lund heads the ball away and the US win a free kick.
And we're off!
Canada get things underway in Kansas City...
Christian Pulisic looks to lead US into new era
We're just seconds away from kick-off now. Will this be a new chapter for USMNT, or another painful false dawn?
Just tuned in for USMNT - Canada and wondering why Mauricio Pochettino isn't on the touchline for the United States? The Argentine is still expected to take over, but there's still one major hurdle that needs to be cleared...
Now onto the United States...
The whole stadium stands to attention for a rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
Now we're onto the national anthems
First up it's 'O Canada', the national anthem of Canada.
Final preparations for USMNT
The United States will be tasked with implementing a new style of play under Mikey Varas with greater focus on a high press and real energy across the field. Will this team be up to the challenge against an in-form Canadian side? We're about to find out...
The United States will be led by interim coach Mikey Varas today and the new man made a good impression at his first press conference in the role on Friday.
AS USA was in attendance for Varas' first appearance as interim head coach, here's what he had to say...
Aaronson speaks ahead of kick-off
"For me it's about playing my game, like I've been doing for my club. Trying to go out and have fun out there, that's when I'm at my best."
"Canada are a good team, they finished fourth in Copa America, so for us it's just about going out there and playing our game."
Big decisions for USMNT boss Varas
The main news for the US is that Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte starts in goal, making just his second appearance for the senior team. That one previous game was the friendly against Slovenia back in January, in which only MLS players were called up.
With Matt Turner still struggling for playing time in the Premier League, Schulte now has a chance to nail down a spot in the national team.
Players are out at Children's Mercy Park
Both sets of players are on the turf in Kansas City ahead of today's international friendly between two CONCACAF rivals. We're around 30 minutes from kick-off, more on the team news from each team coming now...
USMNT take to the field in KC
The hosts are out on the turf on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Kansas City. USMNT will be looking for a marked improvement from their Copa America performance, with new players likely to get some minutes under interim head coach Mikey Varas.
The United States will be led by interim head coach Mikey Varas for the games against Canada and New Zealand this month. Varas, formerly assistant coach to Gregg Berhalter, has limited experience in senior soccer but has an impressive track record in developing young players.
Perfect conditions at Children's Mercy Park
At the summer's Copa America in the United States there were accusations that the pitches were not up to par. Today, it looks like there will be no such problems in Kansas City as the USMNT players stroll out onto the pristine turf ahead of kick-off.
One name not in the USMNT starting XI is Gio Reyna, who was forced to pull out of the training camp after picking up an injury earlier this week. Speaking to reporters on Friday interim head coach Mikey Varas was full of praise for the Borussia Dortmund youngster, saying that he expects big things from him this season.
Tim Ream starts for USMNT
One of the biggest decisions for Mikey Varas to make was his preferred partnership at center back, where the US are not blessed with options. He has opted to go for Tim Ream, the long-time Fulham FC defender who recently returned to MLS to play for Charlotte FC.
Canada starting XI to face USMNT
And here's the team news for the visitors...
Maxime Crepeau - Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies (C) - Stephen Eustaquio, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed - Jonathan David, Jacob Shaffelburg - Cyle Larin
Confirmed USMNT team news!
Here's how the United States will line up under interim head coach Mikey Varas...
Patrick Schulte - Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Kristoffer Lund, Joe Scally - Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman - Christian Pulisic (C), Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun,
Canada star will feel at home in KC
This is a home game for the United States at Children's Mercy Park but Canadian forward Stephen Afrifa will also be feeling right at home. The 23-year-old plays for Sporting Kansas City in MLS, meaning that he's used to playing on this stage.
Will that stand him in good stead for today's test? We'll find out...
Preparations underway for USMNT fans
It's not just the players who are looking ready for the game. The passionate members of the USMNT supporters' section have everything set up to welcome the team back to Kansas City.
USMNT in the house
Just minutes ago the United States arrived at Children's Mercy Park. There has been a lot of talk and a lot of uncertainty around USMNT in recent weeks, but the players looked relaxed as they strolled into the stadium.
On the international stage the United States - Canada is a derby game so don't be surprised to hear that there's been some trash talking in the build-up. Canada boss Jesse Marsch had this to say about his team's rivals ahead of the clash in Kansas City...
Canada confident ahead of US trip
in stark contrast to the US's poor Copa America performance, the Canadian national team broke new ground under head coach Jesse Marsch. Canada made it to the semi-final of the competition, where they were defeated by eventual winners Argentina.
For perhaps the first time ever, Canada can claim to be the most in-form team in CONCACAF. A big showing tonight would cement that status...
Tonight's meeting between the United States and Canada could be a fiesty affair, with both sides out to claim local bragging rights in CONCACAF. Costa Rican Keylor Herrera will be the man in the middle, here's a little background on today's referee...
USMNT looking for major improvement against Canada
Today's game at Children's Mercy Stadium is just a friendly, but after a poor showing at Copa America the fans will be hoping to see signs of improvement from USMNT. The team has been changed since the summer, in large part due to enforced absences, giving new players the chance to stake their claim for a place going forward.
Is today the start of a new era for USMNT?
After a bleak showing at the summer's Copa America there has been action from US Soccer. With Mauricio Pochettino waiting in the wings, former assistant coach Mikey Varas will lead the team on an interim basis for today's friendly against Canada.
I'm Will Gittins - AS USA soccer writer - and I'll be bringing you full live updates from the all-CONCACAF clash.