If there was news that the US and Canadian teams had a fight after the game, then the first thought would be that we are talking about hockey. This is constantly practiced there and this event is not out of the ordinary. But in football, and even in the most prestigious tournament on the continent, this is sheer nonsense.
In the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the TQ-L Stadium (Cincinnati, USA), the American and Canadian soccer teams faced each other. I must say that the match came out very remarkable with a famous twisted intrigue. Until the 88th minute, the zeros were on the scoreboard and the match went into extra time without problems. The situation was blown up by one of the top scorers for the US team in this tournament, Brandon Vásquez, whose ball seemed to be decisive. There was a minimum of time left to recover the “maple leaves”.
But in the third minute added to the second half, the Canadians were entitled to a penalty. Wild card center back Stephen Vitoria, 36, closed in on the point and left US goalkeeper Matt Turner no chance. The game suddenly spilled over into overtime, where fans awaited the continuation of an enchanting spectacle.
In minute 109, the Canadian team already put the Americans on the brink of relegation from the playoffs. The Maples’ young midfielder Jacob Schaffelburg sent an irresistible shot into the US goal, turning the game into a veritable thriller. The Stars and Stripes were frankly lucky that after five minutes another Canadian defender, Scott Kennedy, sliced the ball into his own net. 2:2 – and the inevitable lottery in the form of post-match penalty kicks.
But even in the penalty shootout, a tragedy of American proportions broke out again. The first three hits of the team did not materialize at all, thus recalling the recent World Cup in Qatar, where the world teams had a psychological and composure problem. Both Canadian shots were caught by goaltender Turner, while the owners of the same super-scorer Brandon Vasquez missed the target.
And then to the three strikes delivered by the hosts, the guests responded with only two of their exact attempts. At the moment when the most important goal of the game was required to be scored, the Canadian striker with the romantic name of Charles-Andreas Brim marred his attempt. The US team, which had an overwhelming advantage in the game throughout the match, rightly reached the semifinals of the Gold Cup, where in a few days it will collide with the Panamanian team.
At that moment, when the teams were already heading to the room under the stands, a fight broke out. Canadian footballers claim that the hosts, after winning the penalty shootout, mocked the Maple Leaf players and displayed incredible arrogance. Educated in the principles of hockey, the guests arranged a fight. CONCACAF sanctions have not yet followed. The study of the unpleasant episode continues in the football structure.
