Much ink has been spilled over the lack of logic surrounding the FIFA world rankings.
To be honest, top spot excluded, I might be more inclined to accept arranging the countries from tallest to shortest over the current Will Hunting mathematics we accept as FIFA-ct. But I am sure that is why I ended up solving sentences over equations for a living.
However, I digress. On Canada Day of all days, FIFA determined that the senior men's national team was better than No. 93 Iceland but not up to the No. 91 standards of Sudan.
Now it is up to Stephan Hart's Gold Cup squad to punch holes in the lack of logic.
The 3-0 win over Guatemala in an international friendly tune-up was an excellent start. An Ali Gerba brace (that smacking sound is Toronto FC supporters licking their lips) and Patrice Bernier insurance-marker not only kept interim coach Hart perfect in two '09 matches but prompted anyone with half-a-brain to wonder how he was made to step aside for Dale Mitchell back in 2006.
A tri-goal game under Mitchell was the soccer equivalent of finding a black-faced spoonbill in your bird bath. But a tri-goal game under Hart is treated like finding a grey-faced squirrel in it:
"In the first half we played extremely well and created a number of chances but still lacked that cutting edge in finishing it off," Hart quipped post-match.
I know; you are saying, "Bettering Guatemala is something to smile about?"
It is. The recent Confederation Cup run of the United States showcased the damage a confident team can inflict on even the toughest of opponent. The U.S. grew in confidence and became a formidable test for Brazil in the final, where the Samba Kings needed an inspired final 45 minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Unfortunately, the formidable U.S. team will now participate in the Gold Cup. But it is safe to say that after the Confed Cup success in South Africa, the Bob Bradley squad will be wary of the upstarts or underdogs, which is precisely the role of Canada heading into its first match versus Jamaica on Friday.
