Noonan!!

First of all, let's just agree that the first half of USA vs. Canada never happened. If it had happened, I would have to admit that I wasted 45 minutes of a nice Saturday on another 45 minutes of completely uninspired soccer from the USMNT. I would also wonder where the boys went out in Seattle last night - but since it didn't happen, I guess it doesn't matter.

Strange - to watch a USA vs. Canada match entirely in Spanish. No English, no French, not an "ay" to be found anywhere - just wall-to-wall Spanish.

Arena - One wonders what he said at halftime - from the opening moments of the 2nd half, there was an offensive explosion appropriate to the difference in talent between the two sides.

Cheeky - Noonan's attempted chip early in the second half is the perfect metaphor for the current state of US Soccer. We've progressed to the point where our players are capable of and willing to attempt some shots and passes with a little continental or South American flair - we just don't convert them. We will challenge for a World Cup when we convert. Donovan's attempted volley later in the half was another example. Bergkamp or Henry or Ronaldinho would have converted either nine times out of ten.

Rust - you could see it starting to melt away from John O'Brien as the game progressed. The ball he was attempting to put in for Noonan that ended up as the first goal for the US was going to be a bad one but it seemed to give him some added confindence that he translated into better play including an excellent shot from distance that was headed for the bottom corner but for a well-positioned defender. For someone who has had more than his share of bad luck, the own goal was a welcome bit of good luck. The thought of Donovan, Beasley and a healthy O'Brien in attacking positions around Eddie Johnson is enough to make you a little giddy about our prospects. Maybe it's not Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano.

Mmmmm - Julie Foudy sighting on an ESPN USWNT promo during the DC United/KC game.

Donovan - Not his best game ever but the goal at the end was nicely worked and underscored the excellent chemistry he and Beasley share. You would have preferred to see Noonan get the score after all his efforts (although the missed header was criminal and the cross from Ralston deserves a mention - it was a nice one).

Defense - much more solid than against Cuba but they let down a bit as the game went on. I'm still not sold on Jimmy Conrad as a MNT defender - even against a mediocre side like Canada. Keller wasn't called on frequently but was his usual excellent self when there was a need.

So far, the verdict is that it's nice to see that even a team with a number of second or third choice players we can sleepwalk through regional minnows - what will be nicer is to see us pick it up when the competition gets better.

Bring on Costa Rica and then on to the knockout stages...