Canada has shown that they are a legitimate challenger for one of the CONCACAF spots on offer at the 2010 World Cup. However, at this moment that is probably of little consequence given the nature of their controversial loss to the USA in the Gold Cup semi-final.

With only seconds left and Canada pushing for an equalizer a ball was lofted forward towards the US penalty box. Onyewu stretched for the header and finished up heading the ball to the feet of Atiba Hutchinson who calmly side footed it past Keller in the US goal.

From the limited TV replays we received in Canada – apparently the Toronto thingies were playing a game of rounders – Hutchinson was not in an offside position when the initial ball was played forward and although he was in an offside position when he benefited from Onyewu’s wayward header the only way it could have been judged offside was if the ball had deflected of the big US defender.

It would require an active imagination to construe Onyewu’s header as a deflection. But an active imagination apparently is exactly what the assistant referee has as he immediately flagged and the referee accepted his call. If there are any referees out there who might shed some light on this decision I know a good number of Canadian fans would love to hear from you.

The first thirty minutes of the match consisted of the USA trying to play a bit too quickly while Canada could have done with a bit more pace to their game. Although the US may have had the better of the play Canada had a couple of set piece opportunities that might have turned profitable.

But it was the USA that opened the scoring through full back Frankie Hejduk. Hejduk may have trouble with his distribution at times but you have to admire the enthusiasm and energy that he brings to every game. And you have to admire the way he struck the ball from just outside the box to put the US into the lead.

The second goal came from the penalty spot after Beasley was tripped by Canadian keeper Pat Onstad. Beasley was played in by the simplest of passes inside full back Paul Stalteri. Donovan drilled his penalty down the middle.

The two goals the USA scored in the last ten minutes or so of the first half served to change the shape of the game in the second half. The play spread out and as Canada tried to push forward there were acres of space for the US midfielders and forwards to run at the Canadian defence. As the second half progrressed the US’s bad habit of spurning chances reemerged and it proved costly, although thanks to the officiating, it was not fatal.

The emergence of Ian Hume was a turning point for Canada as the wee man starting hustling the US defence and running at the them at every opportunity. Suddenly Canada’s attacks became more intense and threatening and when Hume equalized with a quarter of an hour left we knew we were in for a barnstorming finish.

Ratings
Canada
Onstad (6) – Had no chance with either of the two US goals. Otherwise rarely tested.

Stalteri (4) – Was guilty of a sloppy back pass in the second half. Was unable to get forward into attacking positions.

Hastings (6) – Handled Dempsey and Johnston well.

Hainault (6) – Ditto.

Jazic (7) – A very competent performance.

Bernier (6) – Pace of the game was a bit too quick for him but he made few mistakes.

Hutchinson (7) – Never imposed himself on the game but he showed again that he is type of player who can turn a game in an instant.

Nash (4) - When given time he sprayed a couple of great passes but in close quarters he was ineffective.

De Guzman (7) – Victim of a brutal challenge in the first half but De Guzman was Canada's most consitent performer over 90 minutes.

De Rosario (5) – Looked like he was going to pull off something special in first half but faded in the second.

Gerba (6) – A thankless task being the lone striker with little support for long stretches of the match. Fought valiantly.

Subs.
Hume (8) – A terrific performance off the bench only reinforced the unanswered question as to why he was used so sparingly in this competition.

Nakajima-Farran – no rating

USA
Keller (6) – Handled what he came his way.

Hejduk (8) – Scored a call and was here, there and everywhere…although you may not want to see that in your right back.

Onyewu (3) – He might be a fan favourite but too often he is an accident waiting to happen.

Bocanegra (4) – Was lucky to be on the park after a spectacularly late challenge on De Guzman in the first half.

Bornstein (5) – Showed great promise and energy in the first half but suffered in the second half as much of the US attacks avoided the left side.

Dovovan (6) – The upside his Donovan continued to look for the ball even though he struggled most of the evening. He will want to remember his set up for the first goal and his well-struck penalty. He will want to forget his wiff with an open goal in front of him. That was in the 50th minute and would have killed the game as a contest.

Bradley (4) – Was prominent in the early stages of the first half but his performance dropped off alarmingly as the game progressed. Rightfully shown a straight red card for a challenge that was late, high, from behind and designed to stop a player breaking away from him – the referee got that one spot on!

Mastroeni (7) – Patrolled his area well with a minimum of fuss as a good holding midfield should do.

Beasley (6) – Everytime I watch Beasley I am left with the feeling that he could have contributed so much more.

Johnson (4) – Poorly timed runs and failed to link well with Dempsey and the midfield.

Dempsey (5) – Absolutely starved of the ball but failed to go and get as well.

Subs.
Feilhaber – no rating

Clark – no rating

Twellman – no rating

 You can check outside the offside at youtube. It shows around 6:30.