FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Canada advanced to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 2002 with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Guatemala on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
Dwayne De Rosario opened the scoring in the 17th minute by tapping in a shot from Ali Gerba. Gerba found his way onto the score sheet in the 33rd minute after great buildup work in the offensive third, and added his second and his team's third in the 44th minute by deflecting a Julian De Guzman shot.
Canada started the brighter of the two sides and nearly opened the scoring after 12 minutes. After De Rosario was fouled out on the left wing, Canada midfielder Martin Nash swung a free kick into the far post. Andrew Hainault was first to it, but his effort towards the gaping net was deflected wide.
There was no respite for the flat-footed Guatemalan defense in the 17th minute as Canada claimed the lead. Paul Stalteri played a diagonal ball through the Guatemalan back line onto the run of Gerba. Gerba slid his effort toward the far post, where the onrushing De Rosario tapped home.
The second goal nearly arrived six minutes later, as Canada took advantage of some miscommunication on the Guatemalan defensive line. Atiba Hutchinson's effort from 14 yards was blocked, but the rebound fell to Julian De Guzman. His effort was only kept out by a diving save from Guatemalan goalkeeper Carlos Trigueno.
Canada's second goal came in the 33rd minute through an intricate passing movement. The goal started with De Rosario on the left playing the ball inside to Hutchinson, who slotted a ball behind the defense to De Guzman. De Guzman played from the byline across the face of goal to the waiting Gerba, who had a simple finish to double the Canadian lead.
The Maple Leafs' lead was extended to three a minute before halftime. Ante Jazic found space down the left hand flank and played a pass back to De Guzman on the edge of the penalty area. De Guzman scuffed his shot towards goal, but the effort hit off the right heel of Gerba and deflected off the right post and past Trigueno into the net.
After the interval, De Rosario had an early chance to grab his second of the contest in the 50th minute. He was played through on goal by Gerba, but he could only manage a tame shot that failed to trouble Trigueno.
Guatemala had a penalty appeal turned away in the 62nd minute as Pat Onstad and substitute Mario Rodriguez collided inside the Canadian penalty area, but the contact was dismissed by referee Courtney Campbell.
Then it was a matter of both teams playing out time, as Guatemala could not find a way to penetrate the Canadian defense and Canada was not pressing forward because of its advantage.
There was one last chance for De Rosario in the 89th minute. He earned a free kick on the edge of the Guatemalan penalty area after shaking free from Medina. De Rosario curled the resulting free kick around the wall, but Trigueno dove and tipped the ball around the box.
Miller Lite Player of the Match: Ali Gerba (Canada)
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
