USA v CANADA, SACRAMENTO, June 21
 

David Barpal photos.

After starting strong, the USA fell behind 28-18 going into halftime. They didn't panic, and some direct words at halftime gave them a renewed resolve going into the second half. But a turnover right at the beginning of the second period led to another Canada try, and the sellout crowd in Sacramento would have been forgiven for thinking it was all over.

It wasn't. Being down 17 points seemed an insurmountable problem, but it was taen care of a bit at a time. The Eagles stopped turning the ball over, and captain Todd Clever made sure no one was panicking by choosing to go for posts when Canada committed penalties. It helped that Chris Wyles was kicking well, and his first kick of the second half made it 35-21. Then a long period of pressure ended when Mike Petri popped a no-look pass to Blaine Scully coming around from the right wing to first receiver. Try and conversion and suddenly it was 35-28. 

Yet another penalty, and again Clever was smart; seeing that there was plenty of time left he pointed to the posts and Wyles did the job. 35-31. With 12 minutes to go, Tom Coolican blocked a kick and everyone surged in to make it count. Hands out to USA debutant Brett Thompson, and he scored in the corner. Wyles again made the kick, and the USA was up 38-35. 

It wasn't over. Canada came close and Thompson, Scott LaValla, and Scully all made key defensive plays to preserve the game, but the USA won. The game itself meant nothing much. It was a Pacific Nations Cup game, but only mean the Eagles would finish 2nd in their pool instead of 3rd. It had no bearing on the World Cup picture.

But it did a lot for a team that hadn't beaten Canada since 2009. It was the biggest comeback the Eagles had ever had against Canada, and the most points they had ever scored against their rivals. Their four tries were the most against since 2003. 

All of it showed the players and the fans what the USA could do when the pieces come together. It was the Game of the Year because it was exciting, but it was also a look, we hope, into the future.




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