Herdman speaks of pride in his players after draw with U.S.
Canada nicked a crucial point on the road against a world top10 team Sunday in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
“I asked for heart. I asked for each man to bring a level of intensity and to show they are brothers,” Canadian head coach John Herdman said following the 1-1 draw against the U.S. before more than 45,000 fans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We had to make sure the U.S. never got comfortable,” Herdman said.
“We knew a lot of pressure was on them. I think we were able to control without the ball a lot of the game.
“I’m really proud of the lads. They executed and at the same time they showed that heart, that really Canadian heart and spirit. Game by game we’re getting tighter and getting more chemistry. We’re showing that this is a talented squad, from one through 23, that is desperate to go to a FIFA World Cup.
“This is a tough grind,” Herdman said. “Every game is an absolute battle. It’s like a 14-game war that we’re going through.”
It continues Wednesday at BMO Field in Toronto against El Salvador, which has begun with draws against the U.S. and Honduras. Canada opened the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with a disappointing 1-1 tie last week at BMO Field, the first home game for Canada in nearly two years, after two 2020 national team games scheduled for Starlight Stadium in Langford were cancelled due to the pandemic.
The draw against Honduras felt like a loss while the draw against the U.S. felt more like a victory of sorts by FIFA world No. 59-ranked Canada against the world No. 10 Americans.
“We were tactically sound, we knew what our game plan was coming into the match, and we think we executed it well,” said Canadian midfielder Sam Adekugbe.
“We thought we could have got the three points, and are disappointed not to get them. We will take this point, but that’s not the mentality of this group.
“We felt we had the better chances. I think the national anthem and the way that we sing, it shows the passion that we bring to the field.”
Brenden Aaronson gave the U.S. the lead at 55 minutes before Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich set up Cyle Larin from the left side for the equalizer at 62 minutes. It was Canada’s second come-from-behind draw in as many matches.
“Like Sam Adekugbe said in the press conference: ‘We’re building a culture here where mentally we’re getting stronger every game,’ said Herdman.
“The previous Canadas might not have recovered from those moments [rallying after falling behind]. It’s a testament to what these players have created here. They have created something pretty special. I think it will only get better as they have more time together.”
About the draw, Herdman said: “We’re content, but not happy.”
U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter was far less than that.
“We’re disappointed with the performance,” Berhalter said.
“The performance wasn’t up to what we expect. We knew it was going to be a difficult road. We knew there were going to be tough games. And we’re getting into it. And we’re finding out they are tough games.”
The two North American teams last met in the CONCACAF final round in 1997 with the U.S. victorious 3-0 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Canada is 9-16-12 all-time against its continental rival.
Canada has not qualified for the World Cup since it was propelled into the 1986 planetary showcase with a team that included four players from the Vancouver Island Soccer League. This is Canada’s first appearance in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying since the tournament for the 1998 World Cup in France.
The final round of CONCACAF qualifying for World Cup Qatar 2022 runs through March 30. cdheensaw@timescolonist.com
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