This Canada thing is not a lie. I mean in a sport. Canada is a real country. I have been there once. Unless that was an elaborate hoax that involved constructing the entire city of Montreal for a weekend just to pull the wool over my eyes. That is just impressive.
Canada beat Mexico last night and now have over half the games played in their favor.
This was not a smash and grab or accomplished by a hail mary, as was the case in Mexico City. Mexico didn't have a shot at the target until over an hour into the match. The Mexicans were harassed by Canada and deprived of any space to create anything. Canada was able to spring on the counter in a menacing fashion because it had Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan at top gear. Mexico was jittery with the ball, not wanting to launch those two into Mach 5 again.
Canada scored their first goal in the middle of the night. Kyle Laren was able to tap home from the penalty spot after Memo Ochoa, intent on eating shit throughout this window apparently, could only serve right up to the penalty spot for the goal. Canada was first to everything with energy and verve, and Mexico was unequipped.
Usually when Canadians are happy about something on my timeline, I know I will be annoyed, but not this. The buzz they are creating for the first time is amazing. Maybe it is just watching Mexico lose again, descend into their usual classy way of doing so by bitching about everything and trying to start fights after the final whistle before running away when anyone is happy to take them up on it. There is something entertaining about watching 50,000 people have fun in 16-degree temperatures.
Maybe it is getting to watch a team for the first time. We won't get that here again, the first time we'll see it all together. It is the only thing you don't get to experience multiple times as a sports fan. You get championship, big wins, rebuilds, and watching teams gel in cycles. You only get that first taste once. I think I am just living in the moment.
On January 30th, the Yanks will go marching north, but for now, I will soak it in.
