A three weeks camp comes to a close tonight as the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Canada in Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium. For some it is an audition to the hexagonal World Cup qualifying matches. For others this match could help get them on a Gold Cup roster during a busy 2013. Connor Lade, a surprise addition to the January roster, was not dressed for the match. Players tweeted their numbers and thank yous and fans are ready to go. Here are the starting lineups.
United States (4-4-2, R to L): S. Johnson; Beltran, Gonzalez, Besler, Morrow; Zusi, Beckerman, Evans, Davis; Johnson, Wondolowski
Canada: Thomas; Morgan, Jakovic, Attakora, Ledgerwood; Tiebert, Beaulieu-Bourgault, Bekker, Dunfield, Ricketts; De Rosario
Our prediction results: Doug got five of 11. Pete got seven of 11. Zach got five of 11. Tony Beltran, Matt Besler, and Justin Morrow all will make their first start for the United States. Mix Diskerud is not available off the bench while Kyle Beckerman will be the captain for the evening.
Jan 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann prepares for a game against Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
and the match ends scoreless as Feilhaber lays it off to Morales on a free kick rather than find Gonzo on the back post. Thanks for joining us. More on this match to come as we head to Honduras.
Expect a ton of bunkering in the hex.
Is Will Bruin on his couch?
Gatt had beaten his man and the pass is behind him. That about sums it up.
If you’re watching this game for joy and complaining, turn it off. If you’re watching for work and complaining, stop. You have a great job.
— noah davis (@noahedavis) January 30, 2013
So Wondo is done with the national team right?
The streamer (ribbon) on the field is telling. These teams are set to abandon soccer after 85 minutes abd compete in artistic gymnastics
— Jon Levy (@TYAC_Jon) January 30, 2013
We’ll have more and we appreciate you following the live blog. This was a tough one. Beckerman, Besler, Gonzalez, and Davis showed well. The pace out wide could have been used early in the match. Feilhaber good on delivery, but not so good on a rush or defense. EJ wasn’t in the match. Ok this was ugly. Hard to find the silver lining. Who makes the hex now?
Well Gatt has gone missing now. Did he use the NoS early?
10 minutes remain before stoppage time. DeRo coming off the field
And another yellow on Canada. Agudelo drew both
Hey it’s a yellow card. Free kick for the U.S. from about 22
Morales and Bruin getting their first caps
But not quite as bad as your math #USMNT RT @foxsoccertrax 65: OH MY GOD! There are 35 minutes left! This is awful!
— Rick Resnick (@RickResnick) January 30, 2013
EJ and Beckerman coming off.
Bedoya pushes the pace to the end line and delivers a beauty across goal to no avail.
Gatt does have the pace, but need to calm his actions a bit.
Will Bruin and Alfredo Morales coming on
Feilhaber composed in the attack, not so much on the defensive side.
Another free kick. Feilhaber with good service on both. Corner coming
Header over the top by Omar Gonzalez. Still nothing. 67th Minute
Feilhaber to take the free kick
OK, we start in a 4-4-2. Now let’s try a 4-3-3. Never mind, back to the 4-4-2. #USMNT
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) January 30, 2013
Bedoya and Agudelo coming on. Brad Davis out. Zusi out
Now Klinsmann has all his creative/distributing types (Davis, Zusi, Gatt) playing wrongfooted (ie stronger foot inside). Not sure about that
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) January 30, 2013
Evans finds Johnson at the edge of the 18. Ball over the top
59th Minute. Same Snoozefest
Yep or even Bruin for Agudelo
Put on Bedoya and Agudelo.
— The Full Ninety (@ninetyfull) January 30, 2013
DeRo escapes from Morrow and sends a header just wide. Dwayne is the best player on the field right now.
Nice ball from Feilhaber and a couple deflections finds Davis just outside the 6 yard mark. Leads to a corner that finds no one.
Matt Stinson (Toronto FC) on for Terry Dunfield 51st minute
Zusi commits a lazy foul on the sideline then questions the ref. Someone needs to spark this match
Tactics talk for #usmnt: Evans shifts to right back. Gatt on the left. Davis and Feilhaber playing behind Johnson. 4-1-4-1 for the moment.
— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) January 30, 2013
Klinsmann says USMNT dominated. Changing to 4-3-3 for Gatt to play left with Feilhaber in the middle. He wants the team to play urgent
@americanpitch These dudes are fitting right in: unable to exploit width, lack of ability in final third #USMNT #USAvCAN
— Set Pieces (@SetPieces) January 30, 2013
Josh Gatt and Benny Feilhaber are warming up. Looks liek the will enter after the break and try to liven up a languid #USMNT attack
— Josh Deaver (@USFootballGuy) January 30, 2013
Halftime: Zzzzzero – zzzzzero. Klinsi is really going to take 6+ from this group to Honduras? #usmnt
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) January 30, 2013
First half thoughts: Besler and Gonzo not tested much but playing their line and delivering some good balls.
Morrow much more impressive than Beltran.
Wondo still not proving strength on the ball.
Brad Davis showing much effort.
Brad Evans is showing nothing.
EJ not getting much service, but not available against five midfielders.
Beckerman doing well as the D-mid.
There is plenty of space on the flanks. Time for Gatt or Bedoya.
Just not comfortable with Beltran’s overlap. Looks nervous. Not enough pace. Davis can still deliver a great ball though
Besler hits a beautiful 45 yard diagonal. Hasn’t been challenged much but looking good thus far.
Canada’s free kick just eludes DeRo. Looked like he would get there.
The #USMNT is excellent at hard, low passes to forwards facing away from goal who then lose possession. #USAvCAN
— Church of Soccer (@churchofsoccer) January 30, 2013
Just a bit of a snoozefest at the moment. 0-0 36th Minute
@americanpitch Evans out Zusi central Gatt out on the right. Wondo out for bruin
— Richard McGovern (@RichardMcGovern) January 30, 2013
Well this might be a bit biased but I’m ready for Bedoya to come on for Evans
Brad Evans is non-existent
116 minutes of scoreless soccer between USMNT and Canada over past year. (Zzzzzzz)
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) January 30, 2013
4:30am and I’m up watching my boys! #USMNT instagr.am/p/VF2BXLK6Of/
— Maurice Edu (@MauriceEdu) January 30, 2013
Don’t think Beltran’s speed is helping the attack at all.
Look how wide the US CBs are in possession. Jay Heaps would approve.
— The Shin Guardian (@shinguardian) January 30, 2013
Beautiful give and go with Wondo and Brad Davis.
18th minute. no score. U.S. dominant in possession with a high line. No great scoring chance
Rapids watching the match tonight. They could have got a bigger television. http://ow.ly/i/1rrJ1
Pretty slick jacket being showcased by Jurgen Klinsmann tonight.
11th minute and we have the first U.S. corner kick. Zusi to take
Besler and Gonzalez playing narrow. Morrow active. Several long balls so far.
There’s far too much green between Beckerman and Evans right now.No linking play in midfield.
— Jared DuBois (@Jrodius) January 30, 2013
Not a great delivery. still no score 8th minute
U.S. free kick. 8th minute. Brad Davis over the ball…
De Rosario saved by Sean Johnson in the 5th minute. Ledgerwood switched the attack. Beltran pinched too far
There’s nobody for whom this is a bigger game than Brad Davis. Last chance at being a proper international. #USACAN
— LeanderLastNameNoFit (@LeanderOnFOX) January 30, 2013
Morrow moving toward the box early. More involved in the offense than I expected
Brad Davis says he brings “My left foot” Ha – Nice response. We are underway
He’s Happy
Not sure we see too many runs by Beltran and Morrow is a big question. Attack will have to come from midfield.
Lalas in the stands to put the D under a microscope
ESPN just had a graphic saying tonight’s #USMNT lineup is the first all-MLS lineup since 2007.
— Over There (@socceroverthere) January 30, 2013
So thoughts on Canada’s game plan?
BUNKER. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BUNKER. #canMNT
— Duane Rollins (@24thminute) January 30, 2013
Beautiful skyline in Houston tonight despite threatening skies. I have not seen that look in many other telecasts. Glenn Davis and Taylor Twellman on the call. Almost time
Well thanks to the air ball on ESPN2 the TV coverage will start on time. About 15 minutes until kick
20 minutes before kick 
I agree.
This. RT @bdoyle028 Wish we could see Bedoya over Evans. Bedoya has talent and is underrated by most US fans
— The Full Ninety (@ninetyfull) January 30, 2013
</
@americanpitch not sure about the line up but then again, I’m not familiar with a lot of the MLS players
— Set Pieces (@SetPieces) January 30, 2013
Want to share your thoughts on the live blog? Tweet us @AmericanPitch or use the comment form below.
What are the odds? Two Johnsons. But no one getting Lade. #usmnt
— g cubed. (@ByGregGomez) January 30, 2013
Teams hit the field
Kick off is at 9:11 EST
Our poll results for the number of goals tonight are split. Two goals or four+ got the same number of votes.
4-2-3-1 for Canada it seems
Diskerud’s exclusion seems to be the biggest topic on twitter right now. https://twitter.com/jasongatties/status/296426890946826240
Like most American soccer fans my age, I got into soccer heavily around 1994. While soccer wasn't an option where I grew up, I played other sports competitively with a pick up match on the pitch every now and then. I've stayed in tune with football across the world but realized I could still help spreading the wonders and intricacies of this game. I also follow the German game to stick with my ancestry, but the stories in American soccer are more intriguing.
I'm also a self-proclaimed dork, enjoy many types of music, and have worked in event management.
The American Pitch
Los Angeles Galaxy
Seattle Sounders
