USA-Canada

Pretend, for a moment, that the USA is located on the continent of Europe, and that we get to play in the European Championships. If we had just won 2-1 in the semi final of Euro 2008, no matter how fortunately, then I'd be over the moon. How we got there wouldn't have mattered much to me.

So why does our 2-1 victory over Canada in the semifinals of our own continental championship feel so dispiriting? I guess it's ultimately because the Gold Cup really means nothing to us; it's just a series of glorified friendlies. I'm not even sure you can blame CONCACAF or Jack Warner or anyone else for it; it's just a logical consequence of dominating the region along with Mexico. Maybe my free shirt has been chemically treated to make me care more the next time the tournament rolls around.

Anyway the game itself was fairly poorly played by the US. Frankie Hejduk, god bless him, scored a terrific goal but it seemed like an aberration in a game where the US just plan didn't generate very much. They spent a lot of time in the Canadian half, but couldn't generate a lot of chances, and didn't do well finishing the ones they had. Part of the problem is the poor service from the wings--Hejduk's crossing was particularly bad in this regard--but also another weirdly passive performance from Eddie Johnson.

One thing I would try if I were Bob Bradley is switch Dempsey and Donovan's positions. I think Donovan works better as a second striker than in the right of that box midfield, where he has to make a choice between isolating himself from the game or sacrficing natural width. Striker is not Dempsey's best position, although that being said, it says a lot about our performance that he's been the best of our strikers this tournament.

Comic highlight: Donovan falling over after beating the keeper... simply magic. A not distant second: Bradley fils' red card tackle. Darkest moment: Bocanegra's tackle on De Guzman.

We'll see if the US can lift their game against brave minnows Mexico, who valiantly slew mighty football power Guadeloupe 1-0 in the other semi, and who in general have had a similarly anemic tournament to that of the US. But in a way, I'm more looking forward to Copa America, where the US will have an experimental squad, against more dangerous opponents. In that difficult crucible, we might find some importnat ingredients for the start of qualifying next year: especially at striker and attacking midfield.