Justin Ellis scores winning goal as USMNT beats Canada 1-0

Justin Ellis scored the lone goal as the United States men’s national soccer team defeated Canada 1‑0 on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The goal came in the 29th minute, six minutes after Ellis re‑entered the match following a 20‑minute collision with Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio that left him limping and under medical review.

After Alex Freeman delivered a cross on the right side, Ellis finished the move to give the U.S. a 1‑0 lead. The strike marked his second goal of the international window, the first having come against Peru on Sept. 26.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino said on the TNT broadcast at halftime, "We need to assess him. He received a big knock in his leg, but I hope it’s not a big issue." Ellis exited the game after the break for further evaluation, yet he was still named Man of the Match.

The friendly capped a successful U.S. break in which the team posted dominant wins over Peru (4‑1), Chile (4‑2) and Mexico (3‑0). The victory kept the USMNT undefeated on the international calendar following a round‑of‑16 loss to Belgium in the 2026 World Cup.

Ellis, a 19‑year‑old forward for Orlando City SC, was called up by Pochettino for the September/October window and is also eligible to represent Uruguay through his mother. Despite the injury concern, his performance demonstrated the coach’s preference for players who give their all for the national side.

The absence of veteran Christian Pulisic, who remains in rehab, highlighted the depth of the U.S. roster as younger players stepped up in the high‑stakes rivalry with Canada.

As the team returns to club duties, medical staff will continue to monitor Ellis’s leg, and the United States looks ahead to future internationals with optimism after the friendly triumph.