The U.S. U-23 national team withstood a late charge from Canada to earn the Pan American bronze medal with a 2-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,000 fans at a rain-soaked Winnipeg Soccer Complex. Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan scored for the U.S., who won just their third Pan Am medal. The Americans won gold in 1991 and took a bronze in 1959. “As time went on we all got better because this is a team that was thrown together,” Donovan said. “By the end of the tournament we molded together and we put it out there today.” Donovan nearly netted for the Americans twice before the break, and missed a breakaway in the early second half. But the Bayer Leverkusen striker finally found his mark in the 60th minute, pounding in a loose ball from close range. Pete Vagenas laid the ball back to a charging Brian Winters, who struck the ball first time from 22 yards out and Canadian goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld was unable to control the shot. Donovan jumped on the rebound and poked it in from two yards out. Bocanegra gave the Americans an early lead, when he netted his first U-23 goal in the seventh minute. The UCLA defender carried the ball forward from his left back position and played the ball wide on the left side to Cory Gibbs. Gibbs trapped the ball and sent a cross into the goalmouth that found a sprinting Bocanegra all alone at the six-yard box, and Bocanegra hammered his header into the lower left corner of the net. Canada closed the gap in the 85th minute when substitute Chris Pozniak beat a sliding Sasha Victorine and his bending shot from 22 yards curled into the upper right hand corner of the net. Canada nearly equalized two minutes later but Canadian striker Dwayne DeRosario was whistled for offsides after he dribbled around a diving Tim Howard. Howard had a quiet evening, only being called on to make two saves. The U.S. men finish the tournament with a 3-1-2 record. Despite the team’s winning record, the U.S. was outscored 8-6. Mexico beat Honduras, 3-1, in the gold-medal match. The U.S. U-23s will regroup in January, when coach Clive Charles will begin choosing his squad that will compete in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying that begins in April. The majority of that team will likely come from players that are currently competing in MLS. Aug. 6 in Winnipeg, Man. Canada 1 USA 2. Goals: Pozniak 85; Bocanegra 7, Donovan 60. Canada — Hirschfeld, Clarke, Reda (Valente, 78), Skinner, Cameron, Bernier, Aristodemo, Jordan (Pozniak, 63), Kindel, Devenney, DeRosario. USA — Howard, Califf, Gibbs (Futagaki, 35), Shak, Bocanegra, Vagenas, Winters, Victorine, Beasley, Twellman, Donovan. Att.: 8,000.

U.S. Quote Sheet

LANDON DONOVAN “As time went on we all got better because this is a team that was thrown together. By the end of the tournament we molded together and put it together out there today.” “Once they started pushing forward, our midfield had a lot of room and they picked up balls and were playing great balls, and unfortunately we couldn’t finish more. I was surprised we had so much. We had three or four breakaways. We’re not used to that. We played well. I’m just happy we won the game. That’s all I care about — it’s all about that bronze medal.” “A lot of us were feeling weird because we haven’t been playing where we’re used to. It’s been different because Clive is looking at players for the Olympics. But to get a goal like that definitely helps. No one expected anything of us, so just to get here, we’re just totally excited. You can’t expect much out of us, but everybody played such a big role, and we got it done.” “We expected to win every game. But if you looked at our team you wouldn’t think we were going to go anywhere. But we expected to win this game — we knew we could and we went out and did it.” CLIVE CHARLES “I think we played quite well, especially early on. They wanted to get a medal, no one really expected to get a medal, but, apart from the last ten minutes, I was very happy with their performance.” “We just came here to do as best as we can. To try and figure out what guys we’re interested in for the future.” “The weather doesnft matter for these guys. The big factor with the weather is if it’s too hot and they physically can’t get up and down the field.” “I thought young Landon Donovan played very well tonight, but he could’ve scored four goals. But he’s 17 — he’s got to learn, he’s here to learn what it’s like at the next level. It’s nice to see him on the last game to do as well as he did.” “We had a bad performance against Mexico. We lost against Honduras. And the rest of the games we either won or tied. So I think, results-wise, we have really overachieved. In terms of the information I’ve got on the players we brought here. I know way more about these kids than I did three weeks ago, which was my main reason for bringing them here. We overachieved a little, but it’s been a great fact-finding trip for us.” “The guys are going nuts in the dressing room. They’re really very happy of course. They’re very happy to come here and get a bronze.” “That’s what’s so great about it. We’re not disappointed with anything. It’s been a great trip for us. It’s given us a chance to see what the other teams are like, and we didn’t disgrace ourselves by any means. We’re a young team, and we had a let-down against Mexico, and part of that was my fault. I played them for four games in a system they are not really familiar with. It wasn’t until today that we played a system that they are more familiar with. The reason being is that when we have all our pros here, we play a 4-4-2. Today, the result came first. In all the rest of the games we have played, the result hasn’t been the main priority. The main priority has been for me to find out who can play in a system that our Olympic team plays.” “We’re in great shape. U.S. soccer has never been in as good shape as it is right now.”