It only took the 1st half for the US to match my predicted score before the game. However, don’t let that fool you savages, as Canada was hard done by with 2 late goals from Bradley’s crew and then totally cheated by the refs in injury time at the end of the game.

After weathering some early pressure by the US, Canada came into the game and controlled the rhythm, forcing the US into some defensive capers as they twice played Keller into trouble, both Hejduck and Bocanegra playing questionable back passes, that forced the veteran keeper into unneeded pressure.

Canada was definitely hard done by when Bocanegra escaped with only yellow after an ex-rated two-footed tackle on De Guzman in the midfield. Earlier the defensive end, used both hands to pull down Ali Gerba who had found some space behind the Fulham defender. The dividends would apply later as the game remained 11 vs. 11.

Canada’s hard luck turned to bad luck as Frankie Hejduck scored from just outside the 18 after the US kept alive a corner-kick, Donovan setting up the Caniggia-hair-like defender for an important goal. Donovan added the 2nd with a down-the-middle spot kick after Beasley beat defender Stalteri on the outside for speed and was taken down by the keeper Onstad in the box.

Donovan should have added his 2nd at the start of the 2nd half, but completely whiffed on an empty net when played in by Eddie Johnson, but the Americans were content to continue their war of attrition putting together next to nothing in midfield.

Canada, on the other hand, continued their dominance of play and created a number of chances before their breakthrough in the 76th min. when the substitute Hume finished off a Canadian counter-attack with a curling left-footer past Keller.

Unable to get anything from the run of play, the US almost had a 3rd goal from off a corner, but Dempsey’s header was cleared off the line by the goalscorer Hume.

American tactics showed up again in the 89th when the coach’s son, Michael Bradley, cynically took down De Guzman from behind and received a straight red. It seems the referee got it right this time.

Playing 1 man up, even with just a few minutes, Canada almost made up for the the 50+ min. they could have enjoyed by scoring a goal in injury time.

However, the referee again made the wrong decision by disallowing what was a perfectly legitimate goal; the muscle bound Onyewu was spared blushes as it was his deflected header that played in Hutchinson for what should have put the game into overtime.

Stack all the cards for America again in this one.

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 21st, 2007 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Soccer World, Gold Cup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.