Canada destroyed Guatemala 3-0 in a Gold Cup quarter-final match in which Guatemala was fortunate to get the nothing. Canada dominated from the start and Guatemala had no answer to a team that controlled the game in all areas of the field.
There might have been a few eyebrows raised when Coach Stephen Hart recalled midfielders Patrice Bernier and Martin Nash in place of Issy Nakijima-Ferran and Chris Pozniak. As it turned out the Guatemalans hardly got close to Nash all afternoon and Atiba Hutchinson and Julian De Guzman were given free rein to control the midfield. De Guzman must have covered every blade of grass at least twice while Hutchinson exhibited a fantastic change of pace when breaking from the midfield.
As expected, Guatemala started the game defending deep and allowing Canada possession. However, after a lapse in concentration led to Canada’s first goal Guatemala found it impossible to adjust from their one-dimensional game. The second goal scored by Ali Gerba was probably as nice a goal as Canada as ever scored. A series of one touch passes eventually found Gerba unmarked in the centre of the penalty box and he powered a side-footed shot high into the Guatemalan net.
The third goal that came before half-time was an own-goal courtesy of Henry Medina. Even at 3-0 down Guatemala was unable to mount any kind of threatening attack and Canadian goalkeeper Pat Onstad’s only action came when he was put under pressure and had to hack away a ball that had been played back to him.
Altogether an exceptional performance from Canada and now a Gold Cup semi-final game waits on Wednesday at Soldier Field in Chicago against the host country.
Officiating - Referee Courtney Campbell of Jamaica had an outstanding game with one exception. The elbow thrown by Carlos Ruiz that cut Richard Hastings should have been a straight red card. Instead Ruiz got away with a yellow.
Congrats to your adopted country Bobby- We did not get the match down here in the lower 48. I saw the highlights on FSC and Canada should be the US's toughest opponent so far. I look forward to the semi.
Did you see the US match? Just dreadful officiating.
I was at the triple header today, and what a great day it was. Beautiful weather, and goals galore.
First off Canada, got in at the end of the second half due to tailgating. I was surprised by how well organized Canada was in defense, I only saw Onstead I think it was have to really make one save. And they moved the ball around very well, they should provide a stern test for the US, which I think is great for soccer in North America.
The USA game, the officiating was awful, but the ref did a good job of not letting it get out of control, and letting Panama take over the game with their cheap hits. Donovan had a pretty good game I thought, Gooch makes me nervous, I like him and I want him to succeed, but right now I would prefer Conrad playing there. Dempsey is awesome, that pass was something else, and he should have had a goal. I wish he had shot first time, and he should have, but I understand why he pulled it back because he didn't have a great angle. The US was pretty fortunate to not be tied 2-2. That fast break save by Tim was a horribly taken chance, by whichever Panama player that was. USA needs to put these teams away in the first half. After the PK you could feel the momentum shift to the US, and they should have never gotten a sniff after that second goal and the red card.
The third game was Revs vs Columbus. I didn't even want to stay for this game, but my friends who I came with did, and I am glad I stayed. 3=3, and I must say MLS is definatley improving, the level of play was fast, as well as enjoyable. Taino Smith or however you spell
Great performance by Canada...i just read your column about the Guadeloupe game and your assessment was #### on (except for Guadeloupe injury faking cause that was truly pathetic and embarassing). my friend and i spent that whole game sitting there wondering if Canada were aware that the Guadeloupe net was actually at the end of the field and not in the middle of it. I agree the referee was tremendous today...I knew as soon as Canada went up 2-0 that the Guatemalans would start looking to the referee to score for them; we would be lucky if we could have officiating like this across the board. Do you think we have a shot at upsetting the US? should be a heck o####ame. cheers
I'm jealous too. I was just one click away from getting tickets, but didn't think there was any way I could convince my fiancee to go, and my friends are away. Oh well, there's always next time.
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