U.S. 2, Canada 1

USA survived a late scare to hold on to a 2-1 win over Canada in Thursday's Gold Cup semifinal. Goals by Frankie Hejduk and Landon Donovan (PK) ended up being the difference, after an injury-time equalizer by Canada's Atiba Hutchinson was waived off by referee Luis Camargo (MEX) for offside. A dubious call at best that saved a US team that looked lackluster in the second half.

I had to give Donovan “Patriot of the Pitch” if only to lessen the humiliation of his colossal whiff in the second half (click here for video). Donovan orchestrated nicely, but he and Dempsey still don’t seem to be clicking.

The U.S. played fairly well in the first half, but disappeared for long stretches of the second half. Michael Bradley, in particular, had his worst game of the tournament, picking up a bone-headed red card late in the match. Conversely, Oguchi Onyewu had by far his best match, despite one communication breakdown with Kasey Keller that nearly put Canada on the board early.

Surprisingly, Hejduk, who scored his first Gold Cup goal and his first goal in seven years for the national team, had a rather difficult time. His strike in the 39th minute was hit well to the lower left, but with a few exceptions his quality declined precipitously in the match.

Donovan’s added the game-winner from the penalty spot, after the speedy DaMarcus Beasley was taken down by MLS and Canadian keeper Pat Onstad. It was Donovan’s 33rd international goal.

The second half was a comedy of errors for the U.S., symbolized by Donovan’s 52nd minute whiff that was reminiscent of Steven Anthony Lawrence in Kicking and Screaming (gotta love imdb), as Canada got one back.

Hejduk picked up another yellow, which means he will sit for the final, as will Bradley who was shown a straight red in the 89th minute for a studs-up challenge. If Coach Bradley laments the loss of either player, the blame is squarely on his shoulders, as he strangely waited until the 80th minute to make any substitutions.

U.S. will face Mexico in the final on June 24. With Copa America just a two days later, the Gold Cup has been akin to a set of scrimmages, a tune-up for the real season, which begins June 28 against one of the best teams in the world, Argentina.

Goals
USA – Hejduk (Donovan) 40.
USA – Donovan (PK) 45+.
CAN - Hume (Hutchinson) 77

USA
18-Keller; 2-Hejduk, 22-Onyewu, 3-Bocanegra, 13-Bornstein; 6-Bradley, 4-Mastroeni (19-Clark, 90), 7-Beasley, 8-Dempsey (20-Twellman, 88); 10-Donovan, 9-Johnson (5-Feilhaber, 80)

Misconduct Summary
USA – Bornstein (caution) 21
USA – Bocanegra (caution) 29
USA - Donovan (caution) 42
USA - Hejduk (caution) 69
USA - Bradley (ejection) 89

TYH's "Patriot of the Pitch" Landon Donovan

ussoccer.com's Match Report