The U.S. Under-15 National Team was unable to get anything going offensively or slow down Canada’s rushing attack on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The result was a 42-0 loss for the United States.

U.S. head coach Tom Bainter remained upbeat after the loss, speaking in particular to how his team fought until the clock read all zeroes.

“We wanted them to play the game the right way,” said Bainter, the head coach at Bothell High School in Washington. “That’s snap to whistle, run to the football, tackle, block and be a great teammate.”

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The U.S. gave up 28 points in the first half, but the U.S. head coach continued to urge his team to focus on giving their best efforts.

“The best part about this whole game was the heart that we played with,” Bainter said. “We held them to 14 points in the second half, and our kids never gave up. I’m proud of them for that.”

U.S. quarterback Terrance Gipson (Humble, Texas) and Canada running back Chuba Hubbard earned MVP honors for their respective teams.

A 7-yard touchdown run by Hubbard gave Canada the first points of the game and a lead that would not be relinquished.

The U.S. defense got a stop on Canada’s next possession, but an interception gave Canada the ball right back at the U.S. 17-yard line. 

Hubbard’s second rushing touchdown at the start of the second quarter gave Canada a 14-0 lead.

Canada receiver Brady Sillito made six U.S. defenders miss on a 76-yard catch and run to push the deficit to 21 points. Sillito totaled 110 yards on his first two touches and finished the game with 116 yards of total offense.

The U.S. didn’t score, but that didn’t stop the Under-15 players from coming up big.

Defensive back Trey Rucker (Waldorf, Md.) made two excellent plays in succession following a U.S. turnover to open the second half. Rucker broke up a pair of passes intended for the end zone and forced Alberta into what turned into a missed field goal. 

The U.S. defense continued making plays as Jose Castillo (San Diego) picked off a wayward screen pass. Castillo, a defensive lineman, gave the U.S. the ball with just more than one minute to play in the third quarter.

With momentum building, Gipson scrambled 35 yards and used the full width of the field to make five Alberta defenders miss. The U.S. fumbled the first snap of the fourth quarter, however, ending a brief glimpse of optimism.

Receiver Nyquee Hawkins (Newark, N.J.) refused to quit and was a consistent producer in the passing game with four receptions for 46 yards. In the fourth quarter, Hawkins provided one of the few U.S. highlights when he elevated over two defensive backs for a 39-yard pass reception.

It was a tough loss for the U.S. U-15 squad but these players now have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and grow into better football players.