I was glad to see the US-Canada soccer match turn into a hockey game.  The 2-1 score was not indicative of the result, and Canada's disputed goal will hopefully live as the spark that unites this rivarly.  Both countries will always have sports ahead of soccer in the popular mindset, so this can hopefully fuel more border disputes. 

I wish the American fans would have given the Canadians the reception Vancouverites gave the US Junior Hockey Team in 2005 (malice aforethought intended).  We'll see if this rivalry has any teeth.  Nice also to hear the boos of Landon Donovan on our own turf.  Come on, Americans!!  Can we please outnmber the Yankee-bashers on our own soil at least once?

More on this later, but when I think of Iain Hume, I think that every Canadian team needs a Tie Domi......  Still, his goal was brilliant and he played with more passion than the entire US team at times.  I like Max, but I wonder if the USA Soccer brain trust (or Don Garber) are pulling Bretos' strings?

My ten thoughts:

1.  The Fox announcers were totally sugarcoating the US performance.  At one point, Max Bretos' partner (Chris something?) was saying the US play in the midfield was great.  I disagree.  I thought we were good at times, but not consistent.

2.  The announcer also said Eddie Johnson had a good game.  Again, I disagree.  I would have taken him out after the second offside.  Didn't this guy just tear it up in MLS?  If I would have had my pick, it would have been Ching if he was ready to play.

3.  I just suspect that the team on the pitch is MLS-heavy for a reason.  I think I know the answer, but I am not sure if I'm crazy or not.

4.  I have always liked Kasey Keller.  He did everything he could on that goal.  I'm from the old school in hockey where you don't blame the goalie.

5.  The ref missed some calls and made some.  The red was well deserved and Bocanegra should have gotten one for the DeGuzman tackle.  I thought Onstead deserved his penalty as well.

6.  Both sides were also guilty of chippy-ness.  Again, it reminded me of a typical US-Canada hockey game, with the shoe (or skate) on the other foot.  Canada has a couple of stars, but the US has more depth.  Of course, the best guy on the pitch was a Canadian substitute.  Easily, Hume was Man of the Match for me.  That's not even mentioning his save on the Dempsey header.  Best US player was Donovan again, and I thought he was better than he was against Panama.

7.  Beasley redeemed himself a bit in my eyes.  As did Gooch--no glaring mistakes by either one, and Beasley's free kicks near the penalty area have been very good.

8.  Someone on an earlier post said Hejduk's best days were behind him.  I am kind of agreeing, of course he played an integral part in the scoring tonight.  De Rosario beat him like a rented mule (I love hockey analogies) a couple of times.

9.  De Rosario is a player.  I like this guy--and again he makes others around him better.  Bravo. 

10.  I get frustrated watching the Americans protect the ball--it seems like every time Canada pressured the US players, they gave up the ball and Canada seemed at times to be dribbling through the US defense.  I would say Donovan was an exception, but Dempsey should be better with his foot near the goal.