CONCACAF Gold Cup: USA wins against Canada 2-1

In a very disorganized soccer game between the teams of USA and Canada, the Americans won the Gold Cup semi-final 2-1.

CONCACAF Gold Cup: USA wins against Canada 2-1 Frankie Hejduk and Landon Donovan (penalty) scored for the U.S. victory on Thursday in Chicago at the semi-final soccer match against Canada for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. With 33 goals, Donovan moved within one of Eric Wynalda's U.S. career record. Kasey Keller played his 100th international game, matching Tony Meola's American mark for goalkeepers.

Iain Hume scored in the 76' for the Canadians. A questionable decision of the referee during extra time took away the hopes for equalizer for Canada. Atiba Hutchinson put a shot past Keller, but Mexican referee Benito Archundia waved the goal off, saying the Canadian was offside. On the replay, however, one could clearly see that the ball went off U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu, and that Canadian attackers appeared to be even with the last American defender, meaning the goal should have counted.

This poor decision was the final point in the long list of similar made by referee Archundia. The soccer team of Mexico was hoping to play Canada in the final of the Gold Cup, and maybe the referee was afraid to point to the penalty during extra time and "benefit" the Canadians.

The U.S. team should be happy with the win after exhibiting an extremely week defense, which made many mistakes during the semi-final of the Gold Cup. Not much happening in front of the Canadian goalkeeper, either. This game proved that the USA soccer team has a long way to go. The middle line was the only part of the American team which displayed great skill and fantasy, and helped the U.S. keep possession of the ball most of the time. But the lack of creativity on offensive level doomed the efforts of the playmakers.

The Canadian team should regret the defensive strategy they have chosen. The closed game is what helped the American team to win the Gold Cup semi-final. Thanks to the American keeper Kasey Keller, the strategy of the Canada national soccer team failed.

The USA team will meet the winner of the other Gold Cup semi-final (Mexico or Guadeloupe) on Sunday. You can bet on the CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Bet365 (UK) or Bodog Sports.

Published on 06/21/2007