Yikes
Well, the US did eliminate Canada last night in a way too close for comfort win.
Let’s just cut right to the controversial last minute offside against Canada that disallowed an Atiba Hutchinson goal that would have tied the game. When it first happened, I thought Canada was the victim of highway robbery. The second time I saw the play, it was closer than I initially believed but still onside. Then, an astute poster at Big Soccer posted this video from ESPN Deportes that sheds a different light on the subject.
Perhaps the assistant referee wasn’t flagging for Hutchinson; perhaps he was flagging De Rosario. The ball seems like it was intended for De Rosario, and Onyewu may have decided to cut out the pass to an open De Rosario, which of course landed right in the path of Hutchinson. If this is true, it throws the matter into the dreaded gray area as De Rosario could have been adjudged as taking advantage of an offside position.
Was Canada unlucky not to have equalized? Yes, but they were also lucky to have been in that situation in the first place as the United States, as they did against Guatemala and Panama, were in a position to decisively crush their opponent, only to let them off the mat. Honestly, I don’t know what happened to Donovan early in the second half when he completely whiffed with an open net in front of him.
Anyway, the United States will face arch rivals Mexico in the final on Sunday. I really don’t know how to read this Mexican team. Usually they enter matches against the United States with overconfident in their abilities, and when the US proves it is no pushover, the Mexicans turn to anger, losing their focus entirely. This time, however, they have been playing so poorly that El Tri may be forced to pay the Americans some respect before kickoff (but I wouldn’t bet any substantial amount of money on that). For the United States, maybe playing Mexico will be just the tonic they need cure their finishing woes.
US Soccer, Canada Soccer, Mexico Soccer, Gold Cup
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