United States beats Canada, to play Colombia for Rio trip

RANGERS defender Luca Gasparotto has seen his Olympic dreams killed off after Canada were beaten by the United States on Wednesday.

Canada midfielder Giulano Frano was shown his second yellow a minute before the halftime break for dissent, and Canada was reduced to 10 men.

“Credit to the guys, we defended our hearts out and we were unlucky to concede the goals that we did”.

The United States got a 70th minute goal from San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Marc Pelosi and a second, penalty kick goal from Jerome Kiessewetter to down 10-man Canada and secure third-place at Rio Tinto Stadium. “We’re heartbroken and we’re at a loss for words”. Canada played compact and disciplined defense for the entire second half and were able to stymie most everything the Yanks threw at them.

The USA failed to qualify for the 2004 and 2012 Olympic tournaments and hasn’t won a men’s soccer medal since 1904, when the Olympic tournament included three teams.

The US team created plenty of scoring chances in the first half, outshooting Canada 13-2.

The USA took the lead in the 69th minute thanks to a well-positioned Pelosi.

It helped open up things for the U.S. The U-23 team tallied nine shots on goal out of 15 total shots in the final 45 minutes.

Next up for the U.S.is a strong Colombian side in a March playoff that is likely to be played in Rio de Janeiro, the host of next year’s Summer Games.

Crepeau made a few big stops in the 61st minute with the Americans pressing, coming out to poke the ball loose from USA striker Jordan Morris. “We had to bounce back, come back and win this game today, and we did”.

The USA team finished fourth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, its poorest performance since 2000.

The United States men’s national team still has a chance to accomplish Jurgen Klinsmann’s lone remaining goal for 2015.

“There are not only sunshine days”, Klinsmann said. Now it’s raining a little bit, and you’ve got to go through that.

“But at the same time, when everything goes not my way, I get even hungrier to turn it around the other way”.