U.S. keeps Olympic qualifying hopes alive with 2-0 win over Canada

The United States men's national team still has a chance to accomplish Jurgen Klinsmann's lone remaining goal for 2015.

Klinsmann's senior team failed to win the Gold Cup and qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup, but his Under-23 side can still achieve his objective of reaching the 2016 Summer Olympics after beating Canada 2-0 in the third-place game of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament on Tuesday in Sandy, Utah.

Marc Pelosi's deflected strike in the 69th minute finally gave the Americans the goal it desperately needed against a Canadian side playing with 10 men since the final minute of the first half.

Next up for the U.S. is a strong Colombian side in a March playoff that is likely to be played in Rio de Janeiro, the host of next year's Summer Games. The Americans have not qualified for the men's Olympic tournament since 2008.

The U.S. enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half but could not produce the pass in the final third to unlock the Canada defense. The Americans caught a break just before halftime, though, when Canada's Guiliano Frano was given his second yellow card for referee dissent and sent off in the 45th minute.

Canada managed to survive the second half until a corner kick clearance rolled right to Pelosi at the top of the box. The former Liverpool and current San Jose Earthquakes midfielder unleashed a rocket that a Canadian defender couldn't keep out for a 1-0 U.S. lead.

Jerome Kiesewetter secured the victory by burying a penalty kick in the 84th minute. It was the fourth goal of the tournament for the Stuttgart forward.