(Note: we were unable to do a post-game chat for this game at the last minute; however, please join us Monday for the critical last group stage match and post-game analysis)
All of the warm fuzzies after Thursday’s thrashing of Cuba have vanished.
The Yanks suffered a major upset this evening, falling to their rivals to the north 2-0 before 10k plus in Nashville. &nbsp;The loss puts the U.S. third in Group A and needing a win outright on Monday to advance to the semifinals and have a chance at qualifying for the London Olympics.
The days started poorly for the U.S. team with the news that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/sports/soccer/in-england-chelsea-fails-to-pick-up-ground-on-tottenham.html" target="_blank">Juan Agudelo suffered a torn meniscus</a>&nbsp;in Thursday’s win. &nbsp;The injury knocks him out of this competition and potentially part of the senior team’s World Cup qualifying. &nbsp;In his place tonight was Teal Bunbury, who chose to play for the U.S. over Canada and had an opportunity to make his case for a chance at the senior squad. &nbsp;Caleb Porter had one additional change in his starting lineup, swapping out Kofi Sarkodie for Jorge Villafana and putting him on the left.
The first half ended scoreless after both sides had a few chances that resulted in nothing. &nbsp;The U.S. attack was continually thwarted by a packed Canadian defense, and Thursday hero Joe Corona was subbed off at halftime due to ineffective play. &nbsp;Bunbury was also poor in attack and Terrence Boyd got a run out in the 56th minute but failed to make an impact.
Both Canadian goals came off of set pieces. &nbsp;The first came in the 58th minute when Bill Hamid was too tentative playing a corner and Doneil Henry headed the ball into the back of the net. &nbsp;The second was also from a Phillippe Davies cross that Lucas Cavallini headed in for a goal.
This loss was both&nbsp;embarrassing&nbsp;and devastating for the United States. &nbsp;The Canadian U-23s had only really been practicing together for two weeks and their lack of playing time together showed until the second half. &nbsp;The fact is the U.S. should not have lost to this team, and the loss blows some of the flaws Earl and I discussed on Thursday wide open. &nbsp;That’s the&nbsp;embarrassing&nbsp;part. &nbsp;Here’s why this loss was devastating:
<ul>
<li>The U.S. now needs an outright win against El Salvador (tied for first) on Monday. &nbsp;A draw means the U.S. needs Cuba to beat Canada, and while stranger things have happened, that won’t. &nbsp;El Salvador will advance with a draw, so don’t expect them to be too aggressive.</li>
<li>If the U.S. finishes second in the group, which is what will likely happen if they win Monday, they will play the winner of the Mexico-Honduras match in the semifinals. &nbsp;They will need to win that match to qualify for the Olympics, and I guarantee they will not want a Mexico rematch with the Olympics on the line.</li>
</ul>
<div>What do you think? &nbsp;Who is the goat for the match?</div>

Canada Shocks Yanks 2-0 in Olympic Qualifier

Canada Shocks Yanks 2-0 in Olympic Qualifier - World Soccer Talk

We here at MLS Talk are guilty of one thing: we like to try new things. &nbsp;We’ve had some successes and failures over the years, but we are trying new ways to not only provide important information about the matches that occur (like strategy and analysis) but new ways to bring the U.S. soccer community together to discuss those matches. &nbsp;Whether it’s the <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/which-team-has-the-best-supporters-group-15508" target="_blank">best supporters’ section in MLS</a> contest or <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/philadelphia-loses-home-opener-2-1-to-10-man-rapids-15561" target="_blank">Earl’s&nbsp;insightful&nbsp;use </a>of the “whiteboard” to break down tactics, we try to do things differently and better than other sites.
So with the first U.S. men’s Olympic qualifier tonight, your writers are doing something a little different to cover the game. &nbsp;Earl Reed and I will be doing a post-game live chat immediately after each qualifier which will be open to all of our readers. &nbsp;In the past, we’ve done live chats during First Kick or the MLS Cup, but this one will be slightly different. &nbsp;So why are we doing a live chat after&nbsp;and not during&nbsp;the games?
<ul>
<li>Doing analysis after the game allows Earl and I to provide immediate feedback and analysis of the games. &nbsp;Instead of waiting until the next day to see what happened, you can visit the site immediately after the game to see tactically and strategically how the game went down. &nbsp;Or, if you are busy during the game, visit a few hours later or the next morning to get a sense of how the game went down.</li>
<li>For those who miss the game, a post-game recap is a succinct way to see how it all went down. &nbsp;It also allows us to have immediate analysis on the site, which you can access beginning the final whistle is blown.</li>
<li>The post-game chat also allows readers to weigh in immediately. &nbsp;Like how the U.S. played? Have concerns about Caleb Porter’s strategy? Let it out while Earl and I offer our own thoughts on what occurred during the match.</li>
</ul>
<div>We will be doing live post-match chats after each of the Olympic qualifiers: today v. Cuba at 9 PM EDT, Saturday v. Canada at 7:00 PM EDT, and Monday v. El Salvador at 9:00 PM EDT. &nbsp;Check back at the site for your chance to sound off on how the U.S. team does and, if the format works for our readers, you’ll see us continue past the group stage.</div>

MLS Talk and the U.S. Men's U-23 Qualifiers

MLS Talk and the U.S. Men's U-23 Qualifiers - World Soccer Talk

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Canada Shocks Yanks 2-0 in Olympic Qualifier

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MLS Talk and the U.S. Men's U-23 Qualifiers