By Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com
www.canadasoccer.com

As Canada's U23 team heads into tonight's game with the USA they know the reward is not merely the passage to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament Final; A much bigger prize is at stake.

Although a Semi-Final in name, the winners of the two Semis will earn the right to represent CONCACAF at the upcoming Beijing Summer Olympics. This far outweighs the qualifying tournament itself, which will continue past the Semi-Final stage for both a Final and a 3rd place game, both of which are largely redundant.

Canada heads into the game on the back of the sensational 5:0 thrashing of Group B winner, Gautemala. Although the Chappines fielded a reserve team, Canada did what was expected of them and in turn earned the right to face the Old Enemy, the USA, for a decisive game.

Goals from the Will Johnson (2), Tosaint Ricketts (2) and what turned out to be a crucial 90th minute tally from Kyle Hall pulled Canada from the brink and into the Qualification game. It just goes to show how the game can rest on a knife edge. Anyone who watched the ensuing farce in the Mexico vs. Haiti match will know just how close to going home Canada came. No Hall goal, or if Mexico had converted the penalty and this would be all very different.

Instead, the Maple Leafs head into the game on a high and face a decidedly underwhelming USA squad that combined has only scored as many goals as Will Johnson - and the Canadian Captain took once less game to notch his three, courtesy of a suspension earned through a red card in game one.

Peter Nowak, the former DC United coach has not managed to gel his team. He has made some stranage squad selections, baffling formation choices and a spate of cases of playing players out of position (including TFC's Mo Edu at DC, and playing striker Kamani Hill at DR ahead of Marvell Wynne). Of course, such moves would look like genius had the results not been so indifferent. Instead, a 1:1 tie with Cuba and consecutive 1:0 wins against Panama and Honduras has seen the US lim pover the finish line in a very flattering 1st place. Of course, it's a fine line between not having required more than second gear, and the team just outright playing badly. If Nowak doesn't pull a rabbit from his hat, there could very well be an upset tonight in Nashville. The US has also relied on 3 PK's, two of which were converted for 6 of their 7 points. They have just one goal from open play so far, Adu's goal in the opener against Cuba.

The US are boosted by the arrival of West Ham player Jon Spector. He can play anywhere in the backline and will provide an upgrade for sure. The US are the benefactors of playing at home, having received an additional days rest plus the luxury of having rested several key guys for their final grop game thanks to having already secured their qualification.

On the flip side, Canada Coach Nick Dasovic once again called on a core group of players to gain the result against Guatemala. They duly delivered, but 3 games in six days - even after a couple of days off - will have taken considerably more toll on the Canadians than their opponents.

As for a home game....well, the crowds (outside of the Mexico games) have been very poor. With the start of basketball's 'March Madness' and 5 Tennessee schools represented, it's hard to imagine the number cheering on the home side to be much of an improvement, let alone intimidating.

The facts remains though - Canada are the underdog and shouldn't be expected to win this game. They do, however, have a very good chance of an upset.

So, with the hour fast approaching let me wish the Boys in Red luck and best wishes for the game ahead from all at Canucks Abroad. We here at CA know they have already done the Nation proud by knocking out Mexico and will be pulling for one more result.

TV Broadcast Information:

Canada: FSC Canada @ 9pm EST.
USA: FSC @ 9pm EST