CARSON, Calif. - Canada's men's national soccer team will face Mexico in two crucial World Cup qualifiers in just seven weeks.

That's plenty of time to fix what proved to be their downfall on Friday — a lack of fitness.

Jozy Altidore scored on a header late in the second half as the United States beat Canada 1-0 in an international friendly at StubHub Center.

Altidore had been dangerous all night with a number of scoring chances and finally was rewarded in the 89th minute when he was fed a perfect cross by Ethan Finlay, who had just come off the bench.

"The U.S. had a very good balance as far as tactical movement. They moved the ball very well. In the second half, the fitness level wasn't there and they had more scoring chances," said Canada's head coach Benito Floro.

"We use every camp and every day to not only look forward to the next opponent. We look to get better every day and every camp."

Canada, ranked 85th in the world, was preparing for its upcoming games against Mexico next month against the No. 32 Americans after training for a few weeks in California.

It's not a slight against the Canadian side to say they were lacking a little bit of fitness. It's the start of the North American season and after a layoff of a few months, it will take some time to get back.

Also, the Canadian squad here was largely made up of North-American based players and lacked some of their biggest names like Atiba Hutchinson, and Junior Hoilett.

Seven weeks is plenty of time for the North American based players to get right up to speed as most of them head into pre-season camps with their respective clubs. The Canada team that will be on the field in March will be a more accurate representation of the country's best.

"I think there are some good lessons to learn," said midfielder Will Johnson, who will remain in the Los Angeles area to join his new club Toronto FC as they hold the first part of their pre-season in southern California.

"Now we've got some live footage of a game that we can look on and correct things in order to make improvements and not make the same mistakes we made tonight against Mexico when it really matters."

Altidore, who plays professionally in MLS with Toronto FC, had the first chance in the 17th minute when he had a tight-angle shot from the right come back off the post before Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau recovered to grab the ball.

Canada came back the other way a few minutes later and it led to a moment of contention as the Canadians had a decent shot for a penalty.

Forward Cyle Larin corralled a cross and, though he could have been called for a handball, the play continued with Larin getting the ball close to the area. American defender Jermaine Jones attempted to get the ball off Larin but looked to have fouled him instead.

The play was very close to the edge of the penalty area so it could have been a foul just outside the area or a penalty but in the end nothing was given.

From there the Americans piled on the pressure and Canada looked a little out of sorts at the back. But the Canadians were let off the hook by some poor American finishing and some great work from Crepeau of the Montreal Impact.

"I knew I could deliver a great performance and when the ball came into the penalty area, I know what I can do and I know what I can control," said Crepeau who was the real standout performer for Canada on Friday in his first appearance for the senior team.

"I'm obviously happy to get my first cap. There were a lot of eyes watching that game tonight so I'm happy to see the people told me that I played well and I think I had a good performance, too."

After picking up four points to open the fourth round of World Cup qualifying late last year, Canada is in second place in its group that also features Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.

Canada plays Mexico at BC Place in Vancouver on March 25 before playing in Mexico on March 30.