Latest news with #andStripes
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Health Insurance CEO Pulls Back Curtain on Prior Auth Reform
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. This is a preview of Access Health—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. To commemorate the Fourth of July weekend, I have an American story for you. It's got all the Stars and Stripes: entrepreneurial spirits, bootstraps mentalities and the familiar drag of bureaucracy. For the past several months, I've been working on this feature story about how patient advocacy groups are changing the pace of health care, working to find and fund cures for their loved ones' rare diseases (and, in some cases, their own). What I found was a community of ordinary people doing extraordinary things—not because they had the time, training or resources, but because they had no other choice. Parents, spouses and patients have taken on roles once reserved for pharmaceutical executives and lab directors, plunging headfirst into grant writing, data sharing and even drug development. These patient advocates are becoming increasingly important to the field of rare disease research, Dr. Dominique Pichard, director of the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences' (NCATS) division of rare disease research and innovation, told me. Less than 5 percent of known rare diseases have an FDA-approved treatment available. Research efforts tend to focus on impacting the most lives with the fewest resources, as grant funding is competitive and hard to come by. But this means that many rare diseases are left untouched. Conditions that impact fewer than 200,000 Americans are difficult to lobby for—and those that do garner attention still face challenges when looking to establish expert advisory panels or fill a clinical trial. That's where patient advocacy groups come in, compiling data, educating providers and serving as connectors between small populations and large research institutions. In some cases, their efforts have helped fast-track clinical trials. In others, they've secured the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for a rare disease. But while their success stories are remarkable, they also raise bigger questions: Should patients be expected to do this much? Should finding a cure for a devastating condition depend on how many calls a parent is willing to make or whether they can raise $5 million? "[This work] is really important, but it has also created a pressure on families," Pichard said. "They feel like selling their assets, quitting their jobs and learning science is the only way [their] child can get a cure." This piece explores that bittersweet tension between the promises and pressures of patient-led progress. I hope you'll give it a read this holiday weekend, and maybe share it with someone who, like the advocates featured, refuses to take "no" or "slow" for an answer. Essential Reading The FBI has uncovered $14.6 billion worth of fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other government health care programs , the agency said on Monday in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The investigation resulted in 324 defendants being charged, including 96 medical professionals. , the agency said on Monday in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The investigation resulted in 324 defendants being charged, including 96 medical professionals. Now, the DOJ, FBI and HHS say they are collaborating to create a health care data fusion center that will help them identify, investigate and prosecute health care fraud. that will help them identify, investigate and prosecute health care fraud. And yesterday, the entities announced a DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group, in which HHS will refer potential False Claims Act violations to the DOJ. Read more about the working group, its members and its goals here. Microsoft AI unveiled new research demonstrating AI's abilities in sequential diagnostics. The company's new model-agnostic MAI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) achieved 85.5 percent diagnostic accuracy—outperforming generalist physicians, who reached the correct diagnosis 20 percent of the time, on average. The company's new model-agnostic MAI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) achieved 85.5 percent diagnostic accuracy—outperforming generalist physicians, who reached the correct diagnosis 20 percent of the time, on average. The study has its limitations. Microsoft's panel of 21 U.S. and U.K. doctors had a median of 12 years of experience but were not allowed to use search engines, language models or other sources of medical information when interacting with SDBench. These tools are common in physicians' practices, with about 1 in 5 using generative AI and about 7 in 10 using search engines on a regular basis, according to recent research—so the human participants may have achieved higher diagnostic accuracy if allowed to access their typical suite of online resources. The report received mixed reviews, generating significant hype in the digital health care space but receiving pushback from skeptical physicians. I spoke with Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman and Health Vice President Dr. Dominic King about the research ahead of its release. Get the exclusive scoop here. The Joint Commission has launched "Accreditation 360," a project it says will set a "new standard" for health care accreditation —using data analytics to fine-tune its focus on benchmarking and outcomes. The reforms include an updated accreditation manual, a new certification program, and moves to improve transparency and streamline processes. The organization has removed 714 requirements from the hospital accreditation program. Read all about The Joint Commission's dive into the digital era here, featuring exclusive insights from President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Perlin. —using data analytics to fine-tune its focus on benchmarking and outcomes. The reforms include an updated accreditation manual, a new certification program, and moves to improve transparency and streamline processes. The organization has removed 714 requirements from the hospital accreditation program. Read all about The Joint Commission's dive into the digital era here, featuring exclusive insights from President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Perlin. Read all about The Joint Commission's dive into the digital era here, featuring exclusive insights from President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Perlin. The Senate voted to advance President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) on Tuesday, approving nearly $1 trillion in proposed Medicaid cuts that would revoke health care coverage from at least 11.8 million Americans over the next decade. (H.R. 1) on Tuesday, approving nearly $1 trillion in proposed Medicaid cuts that would revoke health care coverage from at least 11.8 million Americans over the next decade. The House Rules Committee advanced the Senate's proposed changes, andat the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon, House Republicans were gunning to approve the final version by July 4. In an opinion piece for The New York Times, Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, wrote: "This Republican policy bill is effectively a partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act to help pay for tax cuts, and should it reach President Trump's desk, it would represent the biggest rollback in federal support for health coverage ever." Pulse Check Paul Markovich is the president and CEO of Ascendiun. Paul Markovich is the president and CEO of Ascendiun. BCBS Paul Markovich is the president and CEO of Ascendiun, the nonprofit, ultimate parent company of Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, Altais and Stellarus. He previously served as CEO of Blue Shield of California from 2013 to the end of 2024 and currently sits on the boards of the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). On Tuesday, I connected with Markovich to discuss last week's prior authorization reforms, born from a roundtable with health insurance companies and backed by HHS and CMS. Editor's Note: Some responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. AHIP and BCBS were involved in these reforms, and you sit on the boards of both. From your perspective, when did these conversations about changing the prior authorization process really begin? They've been going on for probably the better part of a year behind the scenes with both trade groups. The plan was to develop these criteria and then go out and publicly announce them, but we [decided] we would love to get some positive feedback and support from the federal government. In particular, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a pretty big customer and client on this one. So we went to them and said, "Look, this is what we've come up with. This is what we're planning on doing. A, How do you feel about it? And B, Would you be willing to say you feel good about it in public?" And they said, "You know what? We really like this, and before you go public, let's talk about this in more detail, and go out effectively together and talk about these changes." That ultimately led to the announcement, but it was very much conceived and driven by the trade associations for the health plans. The prior authorization process has been debated by physicians, hospitals, health plans and even the government for a number of years. What about this particular moment made it time to act and lean into reform? It was really clear this was our top pain point with patients, with the physician community and hospitals as well. This was the thing that was causing the most frustration and friction in the system. There was the sense that the status quo was problematic, and that at some point there would probably be a solution, or solutions that were developed. Then the question would be, who was going to develop them, and where was [reform] going to come from? Was it going to come from the federal government, state governments? All of those were possibilities. And I think we all just recognized we can do a whole lot better than this, and we need to do a whole lot better than this—and we can either construct something that we feel would be impactful without being detrimental, or we can wait for someone else to develop a solution which might be impactful but could also be detrimental, depending on how it's crafted. There have been various events along the way, various ups and downs in the political process, but eventually, this was too painful of a point to be left alone. One of the reforms laid out in the pledge is the standardization of electronic prior authorization submissions. What has been holding up the digitization process, and what will be the greatest challenge going forward? One of the biggest barriers to getting there—and it is going to be our biggest challenge going forward—is establishing and adopting standards for the real-time digital exchange of the information. And I know this from personal experience, because I've been a champion of creating a comprehensive digital health record for every American for many years. We managed to get a law passed in California that requires the sharing of data from physicians and hospitals to health plans: so we have actually created for our members a comprehensive, real time digital record in California, but it's in part thanks to that law and the requirement to share the data. But what ends up happening most of the time in prior authorizations is the health plan will say, there are certain best practices in health care that have been researched, that clinicians agree upon. There's a consensus about what the model of care should be in this situation, and what [the provider is] proposing to do is not consistent with that. But typically what happens is you [as a health plan] don't have all the information on the member. It's there in the medical record somewhere, but it hasn't been sent to the plan in a format that they need to say, "Yes, I can match this up. This patient has this diagnosis. Yes, their test results would indicate that they need this procedure or this drug. It's consistent with medical protocols." So typically, we're missing information, and then a series of time (days, sometimes ) that goes by where we're faxing requests for information. That's been the biggest challenge in the pre-authorization process. When we announced as a plan back in the fall of last year (before these industry announcements) that we were going to a real-time digital solution for prior authorization, we did a little spoof video with me bashing the fax machine to smithereens, which you may find entertaining. To me, that's the biggest thing, Alexis. It's getting standards and protocols down, getting that data available. How is it that the health plan can access that information on the patient, from the physician and hospital, and more broadly, from all of the care that they've had in their history of care? If we have access to all of that, there's absolutely no reason why these prior authorization decisions can't happen as quickly as your prior authorization decisions do on your credit card, and that's what we're shooting for. But what needs to happen is that digitization of the data and that real time sharing of it—and there's been challenges with that, historically. C-Suite Shuffles Oregon Health & Science University tapped Dr. Shereef Elnahal to serve as its sixth president after a lengthy national search. Previously, Elnahal was appointed by President Joe Biden as undersecretary for health at the VA. tapped to serve as its sixth after a lengthy national search. Previously, Elnahal was appointed by President Joe Biden as undersecretary for health at the VA. Debra Jaeger is the first chief revenue officer at Mount Sinai , based in New York City. In the role, she'll be responsible for integrating revenue cycle operations across the health system, reducing variation in processes and eliminating silos. is the first at , based in New York City. In the role, she'll be responsible for integrating revenue cycle operations across the health system, reducing variation in processes and eliminating silos. Rich Liekweg is retiring from his role as CEO of BJC Health System on October 1. Liekweg joined the St. Louis-based health system in 2009 and assumed the top role in 2018. He was instrumental to the health system's growth and oversaw its 2024 merger with Saint Luke's Health System in Kansas City. Nick Barto, current president of BJC, will succeed Liekweg. Executive Edge Dr. Jeffrey Giullian is the chief medical officer of DaVita Kidney Care. Dr. Jeffrey Giullian is the chief medical officer of DaVita Kidney Care. DaVita Dr. Jeffrey Giullian is the chief medical officer of DaVita Kidney Care, which provides kidney care and dialysis services across the nation and works to transform the experience of the more than 35 million people in the U.S. that live with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Giullian has been busy at DaVita, which is growing its value-based care arrangements and expanding access to kidney transplantation. (Last year, more than 8,200 DaVita patients received a kidney transplant, the company's highest number of annual transplants to date.) He also lives a full life outside of work, serving in an advisory capacity at the University of Colorado and the Denver Business School, and preparing to be an empty-nester when his daughter begins college at UCLA this fall. For this week's Executive Edge, I connected with Giullian to learn how he juggles it all: "Prioritizing health and wellness is something I take seriously—not just because of the demands of my role, but because I believe it's foundational to showing up as my best self, both professionally and personally. One of the ways I stay grounded is through running . It's a consistent part of my routine that gives me space to reflect, recharge, and maintain physical and mental clarity. . It's a consistent part of my routine that gives me space to reflect, recharge, and maintain physical and mental clarity. "I also try to be intentional about how I spend my time outside of work. With my daughter preparing for college, my wife and I are focused on making the most of this chapter as a family. That means carving out time for meaningful experiences, even amid a full calendar. I've found that when I align my personal time with what matters most—family, movement and purpose-driven work—it becomes easier to maintain energy and perspective. "Wellness, to me, isn't just about physical health. It's also about staying connected to a sense of purpose. When I feel aligned with the work I'm doing and the values I hold, I'm more energized, more present and more resilient in the face of challenges. That sense of purpose acts as a compass. It helps me make decisions about where to invest my time and energy, and it keeps me grounded when things get busy. Whether I'm contributing to meaningful change in health care or showing up for the people who matter most in my life, I've found that fulfillment comes from knowing that my actions are part of something larger." This is a preview of Access Health—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
US Marine dies, another rescued while hiking in northern Japan
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways A U.S. Marine died and another was rescued while hiking in northern Japan over the weekend, the Marine Corps confirmed Tuesday. Cpl. Jason P. Cockrell and Cpl. Andre N. Dabrowski, both assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, went missing Friday while recreationally trekking Mount Furano in the Hokkaido prefecture of Japan. Cockrell was discovered Saturday, according to the Marine Corps, and did not survive. Dabrowski was rescued, according to reports. 'We are all incredibly saddened by this loss,' said Brig. Gen. Kevin G. Collins, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, in a statement. 'We are united in grief with their family, friends, and fellow Marines, and we will do everything we can to support them during this difficult time.' While the incident is under investigation, a spokesperson told Military Times that deteriorating weather conditions likely led to the Marines' initial disappearance. Airman uses military training to rescue skier during trip to the Alps Japanese news network Hokkaido Broadcasting reported one of the Marines called local police at 4 p.m. local time Friday after becoming disoriented and separated by fog, according to Stars and Stripes. That Marine was found unharmed six hours later, 4,300 feet up a mountain road. The other Marine was found 4,600 feet up the mountain, lying on a trail, but died after being transported to a hospital, the same report said. Cockrell, originally from New Mexico, enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 8, 2022, and was serving as an automotive maintenance technician at the time of his death. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Korea Defense Service Medal. Dabrowski also serves as an automotive maintenance technician and hails from Maryland. 'We extend our deepest gratitude to the Japanese authorities, local rescue teams, and all those involved in the search and recovery efforts,' said Cap. Brett Vannier, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Logistics Group.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - To rebuild America's maritime fleet, Congress must create demand for US ships
With his 'Restoring America's Maritime Dominance' executive order last month, President Trump sounded the alarm: Our nation will either rebuild its commercial shipping fleet now or drift further into dependence on foreign vessels, most flying the Chinese flag. The executive order's mandate for a maritime action plan calls for a serious agenda by various agencies to revive the merchant marine, but meaningful change will require Congress to step up and do its job. That starts with creating real, sustained demand for U.S. shipping. I grew up in Mobile, Ala., a port city with the maritime industry in its blood. My father worked as a commercial mariner, and I've had the privilege of representing a district with one of the largest shipyards in the country. I've seen firsthand how critical the maritime industry is to our economic and national security alike. I've also borne witness to what decades of neglect have done to a once-proud industry. Growing up, I was in awe of the bustling waterfront with enormous cargo vessels of all types pulling in with the Stars and Stripes flying boldly from their flagstaffs, and homeports from the greatest cities in the country painted on their sterns. Today, less than 1.6 percent of U.S. imports and exports move on U.S.-flagged vessels. The rest are hauled by foreign-owned fleets, often underwritten by our strategic adversaries. China-owned or subsidized shipyards now build 74 percent of the world's ships — we build 0.2 percent. If this disparity doesn't keep you up at night, it should. Without a robust domestic shipping fleet, America is economically reliant and strategically vulnerable. U.S.-flagged ships are required by law to support national defense in times of war or emergency, as they did to critical effect in numerous conflicts in our nation's history. In a crisis, if our supply chain depends on a fleet we don't control, we're not a maritime power — we're a client state. President Trump's executive order rightly targets the regulatory gridlock that has eroded American shipbuilding, but it falls to Congress to fill the other half of the equation: ensuring that U.S. ships have cargo to carry. Without steady demand for their services, new ships will just be left to rust at port. I'll offer three simple ideas to help accomplish this goal. First, it should double the tax deduction for companies that ship American. Today, U.S. businesses can deduct 100 percent of shipping costs, whether they use U.S.-flagged or foreign vessels. But foreign ships typically operate at lower cost, thanks to less-stringent labor, safety, and tax regimes. Doubling the current deduction to 200 percent for cargo moved on American ships would almost wipe out that price gap. It's a simple, voluntary incentive that, by some estimates, could boost demand by nearly 20 percent and support the addition of nearly two dozen ships to the fleet. Next, Congress should require 100 percent of taxpayer-funded cargo to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels wherever possible. This rule is already in place at the Department of Defense, but most civilian agencies still operate under a 50 percent requirement to use U.S. vessels. There is no sound rationale for that inconsistency. If taxpayers are footing the bill, the cargo should support American workers, American ships and American security. This would make a big difference given that the U.S. government is one of the largest shippers in the country. And finally, we should expect more from American companies. Every week, I see ads touting a company's 'Buy American' values. But when will those same businesses commit to 'Ship American?' Congress can jumpstart the trend by encouraging the formation of a Ship American Coalition — an alliance of importers and exporters willing to voluntarily commit more cargo to U.S. vessels. Even a 10 percent shift from the likes of Amazon, Walmart and John Deere would have a meaningful impact on fleet demand, and they could benefit from the same patriotic branding they use to sell American-made goods. Taken together, these ideas offer a streamlined, practical way to generate the cargo volumes that will sustain an expanded U.S. fleet. They are not merely a nostalgic appeal to maritime romanticism but rather an economic and strategic necessity. America cannot be the world's leading economic power if we do not own our own ships — and use them. I know from personal experience that our country doesn't lack the talent or resources to build ships; we just lack the market incentives to justify the investment. President Trump has taken the biggest step in decades to end the collective apathy that has led to our maritime decline. But unless Congress follows up with real reforms to create demand, the Maritime Action Plan will remain just that — a plan. Jerry Carl is an American politician and businessman who represented Alabama's 1st Congressional District from 2021 to 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
To rebuild America's maritime fleet, Congress must create demand for US ships
With his ' Restoring America's Maritime Dominance ' executive order last month, President Trump sounded the alarm: Our nation will either rebuild its commercial shipping fleet now or drift further into dependence on foreign vessels, most flying the Chinese flag. The executive order's mandate for a maritime action plan calls for a serious agenda by various agencies to revive the merchant marine, but meaningful change will require Congress to step up and do its job. That starts with creating real, sustained demand for U.S. shipping. I grew up in Mobile, Ala., a port city with the maritime industry in its blood. My father worked as a commercial mariner, and I've had the privilege of representing a district with one of the largest shipyards in the country. I've seen firsthand how critical the maritime industry is to our economic and national security alike. I've also borne witness to what decades of neglect have done to a once-proud industry. Growing up, I was in awe of the bustling waterfront with enormous cargo vessels of all types pulling in with the Stars and Stripes flying boldly from their flagstaffs, and homeports from the greatest cities in the country painted on their sterns. Today, less than 1.6 percent of U.S. imports and exports move on U.S.-flagged vessels. The rest are hauled by foreign-owned fleets, often underwritten by our strategic adversaries. China-owned or subsidized shipyards now build 74 percent of the world's ships — we build 0.2 percent. If this disparity doesn't keep you up at night, it should. Without a robust domestic shipping fleet, America is economically reliant and strategically vulnerable. U.S.-flagged ships are required by law to support national defense in times of war or emergency, as they did to critical effect in numerous conflicts in our nation's history. In a crisis, if our supply chain depends on a fleet we don't control, we're not a maritime power — we're a client state. President Trump's executive order rightly targets the regulatory gridlock that has eroded American shipbuilding, but it falls to Congress to fill the other half of the equation: ensuring that U.S. ships have cargo to carry. Without steady demand for their services, new ships will just be left to rust at port. I'll offer three simple ideas to help accomplish this goal. First, it should double the tax deduction for companies that ship American. Today, U.S. businesses can deduct 100 percent of shipping costs, whether they use U.S.-flagged or foreign vessels. But foreign ships typically operate at lower cost, thanks to less-stringent labor, safety, and tax regimes. Doubling the current deduction to 200 percent for cargo moved on American ships would almost wipe out that price gap. It's a simple, voluntary incentive that, by some estimates, could boost demand by nearly 20 percent and support the addition of nearly two dozen ships to the fleet. Next, Congress should require 100 percent of taxpayer-funded cargo to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels wherever possible. This rule is already in place at the Department of Defense, but most civilian agencies still operate under a 50 percent requirement to use U.S. vessels. There is no sound rationale for that inconsistency. If taxpayers are footing the bill, the cargo should support American workers, American ships and American security. This would make a big difference given that the U.S. government is one of the largest shippers in the country. And finally, we should expect more from American companies. Every week, I see ads touting a company's 'Buy American' values. But when will those same businesses commit to 'Ship American?' Congress can jumpstart the trend by encouraging the formation of a Ship American Coalition — an alliance of importers and exporters willing to voluntarily commit more cargo to U.S. vessels. Even a 10 percent shift from the likes of Amazon, Walmart and John Deere would have a meaningful impact on fleet demand, and they could benefit from the same patriotic branding they use to sell American-made goods. Taken together, these ideas offer a streamlined, practical way to generate the cargo volumes that will sustain an expanded U.S. fleet. They are not merely a nostalgic appeal to maritime romanticism but rather an economic and strategic necessity. America cannot be the world's leading economic power if we do not own our own ships — and use them. I know from personal experience that our country doesn't lack the talent or resources to build ships; we just lack the market incentives to justify the investment. President Trump has taken the biggest step in decades to end the collective apathy that has led to our maritime decline. But unless Congress follows up with real reforms to create demand, the Maritime Action Plan will remain just that — a plan.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USMNT player ratings — Another dismal display from the golden generation
It's time for a long, hard look in the mirror for the USMNT — that certainly goes for the players after they were beaten 2-1 by Canada in the 3rd-place game of the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday, but it also goes for the fans. USA 1-2 CANADA - Highlights, recap & analysis This USMNT has told us (a number of times) exactly what they are, so how about let's finally believe them and take them at their word actions? At this point, if you still find yourself feeling disappointed by their every failure, whose fault is that? Whose (clearly unreasonable) expectations aren't being met? Who's the one expecting more from them than they expect of themselves? Same story as Copa America 2024. Same story as World Cup 2022. Changing the coach didn't fix any of what ails the USMNT, because they themselves appear to be the problem. No one wants to hear, "Back in my day," but back in my day, the best players on the USMNT were also the ones that were the toughest, fought the hardest and cared the most. It'll be a real shame if this group's greatest accomplishment in the Stars and Stripes shirt is beating up on the worst Mexican national team in recent memory en route to winning three Nations League winner's medals, while no-showing every major tournament in which they could cement a real legacy. Anyway, here's some player ratings… GK Matt Turner - 6: Pochettino probably wanted to go with someone else after the manner in which Turner gave up the winning goal against Panama on Thursday, but Zack Steffen, the presumed no. 2, was ill. At this point, the goalkeeping situation is what it is, and it's probably best to leave it at that. RB Joe Scally - 5.5: Came off at halftime, seemingly for a more attack-minded full back in Marlon Fossey. With Alphonso Davies leaving the game just 12 minutes in, Canada posed little threat do the U.S.'s right side. CB Mark McKenzie - 5.5: Got completely lost when Jonathan David cut inside and fired home the winner in the second half. Much like the goalkeeper position, it's a bit dire at the moment with so much inconsistency in terms of club and country playing time. Jonathan David with a perfect left-footed strike to put Canada ahead at SoFi Stadium — Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) March 23, 2025 CB Cameron Carter-Vickers - 5.5: Ended up down on one knee after trying to make a play leading up to Canada's first goal, but he was hardly the only one who made a regrettable decision on that play. LB Max Arfsten - 5.5: Looked a step slow in his first real international start, but that's to be expected. Get well soon, Jedi. MF Tyler Adams - 5: Adams should have made some sort of play on the cross for Canada's first goal as it was the man he was marking for which it was intended, but he lost his man with his back turned and ended up marking… Christian Pulisic. Nearly compounded one mistake (giving the ball away in midfield) with another one (a near-penalty) after chasing back and making a last-ditch challenge on the ball. Tani Oluwaseyi nets his first international goal for Canada — Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) March 23, 2025 MF Weston McKennie - 5.5: Square peg, round hole. Has proven to only be effective in one particular midfield role, which should henceforth be entrusted to… MF Diego Luna - 7: Finally, a midfielder with touch, vision and the ability to play the (difficult) pass that he sees. Did incredibly well to control the ball and keep it moving in penalty-area traffic, and picked up a deserved assist for doing so. 21 years old, so let's pump the brakes a bit, while remaining excited (cautiously). That @MLS connection Diego Luna leaves it on a plate for Patrick Agyemang who buries the @USMNT equalizer! — Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) March 23, 2025 LW Christian Pulisic - 5.5: Picked up right where he left off against Panama (not a compliment) and very little, if any, impact on the game. Attempted just 12 passes, created zero chances and reportedly waved off a substitution after his number went up on the board so he could take one last free kick. Wore the captain's armband in an attempt by Pochettino to rouse a response from the team's best player. Didn't seem to have the desired effect. RW Tim Weah - 6: Luna will (rightly) get lots of love for his assist, but Weah played an equally important part in the sequence as he beat his man to the inside and slipped a deft through ball into space to make the whole thing possible. Strangely, he has looked better on the left than the right of late. CF Patrick Agyemang - 6.5: He's… totally fine, as a rotational option but clearly not The Answer. There isn't much trickery or creativity to his game, but he's big, strong and good on the ball when moving forward in a straight line. A bit lucky that the ball went through the goalkeeper for his goal, but sometimes you have to get lucky.
