The Canadians, ranked 40th in the world, led 1-0 at halftime. Substitute Luca de la Torre replied for the Americans, who were much tougher in the second half.
Canada will now travel to Texas, where it will face 17th-ranked Mexico on Tuesday in Arlington. The Canadian team will then face 35th-ranked Panama on October 15 in Toronto.
Canada’s last win against the United States came in January 2022, when they won 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Hamilton. Their last win on American soil against their southern rivals came in July 1957, when they won 3-2, also in a World Cup qualifier, in St. Louis.
Canada was the better team in the first half at Children’s Mercy Park and took the lead in the 17th minute through Shaffelburg. Canada’s lead could have been bigger if not for American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Canada outshot the United States 11-1 (5-0 on shots on target) in the first 45 minutes. Former CF Montreal midfielder Mathieu Choiniere, now with Grasshoppers Zurich, and Vancouver Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed were both excellent.
David doubled Canada’s lead in the 58th minute, capitalizing on a missed clearance by Tim Ream. It was David’s 29th goal for Canada, tying him with Cyle Larin for the country’s scoring lead.
The United States got within a goal in the 66th minute on a scrappy goal from de la Torre — his first for the national team — after Canada’s sloppy defensive play in its own box. Canada’s players believed the sequence was offside.
With their losses to Panama and Uruguay at the Copa America, the United States lost a third straight match for the first time since 2015 against Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Heading into Saturday’s game, Uncle Sam’s country had a 17-10-13 record against Canada. It had never lost at Children’s Mercy Park (8-0-2).
It was the Canadians’ first game since a penalty shootout loss to No. 11 Uruguay in the third-place match July 13 at the Copa America.
Canada is 2-3-4 under Jesse Marsch as head coach, facing elite teams along the way. That includes two 2-0 losses to world No. 1 Argentina in that stretch.
Canada and the United States last met in July 2023. The Americans, then coached by Gregg Berhalter, defeated Canada on penalties in Cincinnati after a 2-2 draw in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Quebec goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau made his first save in the 48th minute
Canadian captain Alphonso Davies needed treatment after falling on the advertising board behind the American goal, but he remained in the game. Canadian defender Derek Cornelius, meanwhile, continued with his head bandaged after taking a blow.
