US Soccer Is Going To The Olympics!!!

The US over matched Canada at every position this evening to win their semi-final match-up. That means they'll be heading to China for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Freddy Adu showed he's learned some free kick tricks scoring both of the first two American goals. A great play by Holden saw him get free on the left wing to slot a ball into wide open Sacha Kljestan who calmly sent his shot past the sprawling Canadian keeper. This was probably the best team the US has fielded and they all played to their potential to get a good team victory.

Some highlights:

- Marvell Wynne made a couple defensive mistakes but overall looked like a strong long term right back prospect.

- Michael Orozco and Jonathan Spector were a terrific pair. They played well together and didn't get beat. Spector showed why he's starting for West Ham in the Premier League.

- Nathan Sturgis showed well on the left and didn't seem to mind having moved all over the back line through the tourney.

- Sacha Kljestan may have been the hardest working player on the field tonight. He was rewarded with a scoring opportunity and didn't disappoint. He showed tonight why I believe he is the best young players currently in MLS.

- Maurice Edu was a solid captain and played well in central midfield. Also didn't miss a beat having been moved around between midfield and the back line.

- Dax McCarty is a little bull dog. I'd call him Gattuso like but I don't like Gattuso and don't want to insult McCarty. Even when he's getting railroaded by some really tall Canadian, he's playing tough.

- Stuart Holden beat the Rapids two years ago (or was it last year?) seemingly on his own and I knew then he was one to watch. He played very well on the left wing and showed that is his position to lose.

- Freddy Adu was the man of the match for my money. He got the first two goals on free kicks and was dangerous the entire match before being subbed out in the 82nd minute. He is really learning a lot about the game over in Portugal. Moving to Benfica was the best thing he could have done for his career. Sublime free kicks, really. There may be a movie being written soon called Bend It Like Adu...ok, no there isn't but you get my drift.

- Jozy Altidore is going to get a lot of grief for not scoring in this tourney but his hard work and ability to draw a foul gave Freddy the chance he needed to score on that free kick. He's a hard worker and the goals will come.

The subs didn't do enough to draw praise. They didn't have time.

If you get a chance to watch a replay, do. This is what I've been expecting from the US all along. A great game. I think tonight showed why we should be so happy with where MLS has brought US Soccer. While Canada had some professional players, many were still in college. While those college players showed well, they couldn't defeat the entirely professional US.

I am really excited to see what the US can do in China this summer. Without Mexico the US will be the heavy favorite of the two CONCACAF teams. If they get into some evenly matched games, they could shock the world.