This was a weird game for the Canadian soccer supporter.
Usually when watching Canada play in a Gold Cup match or World Cup Qualifier, I go though a six pack of Cherry Pepto Bismol while locked in the fetal position, keeping a bottle of Jameson's on hand with the knowledge that a loss -- whether it be of the humiliating Guadeloupe variety or the "Benito the Bandit" USA rip off brand -- will in all probability send me spiraling into some type of Jimmy McNulty-style bender to end all benders.
But viewing this game was different. Canada went into the encounter having already qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament. Outside of points for the nation's FIFA ranking, the result against Costa Rica was relatively meaningless. Valuable squad members on yellow cards like Julian De Guzman and Mike Klukowski could be rested. Stephen Hart could afford to hand starts to youngsters like Jamie Peters and Simeon Jackson. After years of going into tournament games on the edge, prepared to have my heart ripped out, I found myself having trouble getting up emotionally to watch this. I mean, what's a Gold Cup match if you know there's no chance that your team might have to advance by the drawing of lots?
Highlights
Anyone else find themselves really rooting for Ali Gerba to score when he came on as a substitute? It almost seemed like Hart could sense my interest in the game was starting to wane and knew Der Cucumber Bomber's presence would bring me back in. The chase for Dale Mitchell's goals record is the story in Canadian soccer right now. Every touch in the attacking third by Ali G is like a Barry Bonds at-bat during his chase for Hank Aaron's home run record.
Jaime Peters was a bit of a surprise playing centrally -- I've always thought of him as a wide player -- but he did a commendable job in there. Obviously the midfield was lacking somewhat without De Guzman, and there were points in the second half that I just wished he could have been unleashed by Hart to start bossing those Ticos around. But that, as Spock would say, would be highly illogical.
The absence of Dejan Jakovic was felt at the back, as his ability to pass the ball on the deck was a key part of Canada's possession game against El Salvador. Hopefully he returns to the starting xi for the quarters. And hopefully Greg Sutton got that one diabolical howler out of his system relatively early in the tournament. Yeesh, was that ever brutal.