Move over Wayne Gretsky, you have competition. Just getting ahead of myself. Never mind.
I watched Canada with my friend Raj take on Belgium at The Canuck, a NYC bar in the Chelsea neighbourhood. Packed to the rafters with a generation of Canadians who can now truly believe there is more to just ice hockey. Soccer. The bar lifted by O Canada sung lustily. Canada’s return to the big dance after three decades or more was truly deserved. The Canada women’s side, a powerhouse, was represented prominently with a number of patrons sporting Sinclair jerseys, after their talismanic goalscorer.
They were the best CONCACAF side by a mile with players like Alphonse Davies and Jonathan David already establishing themselves as potential world beaters. Hard to believe they are both just 22 years old and frighteningly make the lives of the opposition miserable for another three World Cups. This happy goal hunting duo will skin with their direct running and pace but if that is not enough they also have an older hand in Cyle Larin, a physical presence in the box, who usually comes off the bench.
Canada lined up in a 3-4-3 with David forming the spearhead in the attack. Porto’s Sebastian Estaquiao, the standout in the midfield and veteran Atiba Hutchison, anchoring in front of a three man defence. And in the 10th minute, they had a golden chance. Davies with a penalty. But the Bayern Munich star might have been a tad nervous. Thibaut Courtois is a formidable presence in goal, wingspan of an albatross, and cheetah like reflexes. He hesitated and Courtois guessed correctly, diving right to parry Davis low driving shot. The ball traveled back a bit too quickly for Davis to adjust his feet and guide the rebound into goal.
A moment lost, an opportunity stolen. But Les Rouges fought back, overwhelming a creaking Belgian side, slowed down by age and expectation. They outshot Belgium, 22 to 7. Their 2.6 expected goals was the fourth highest of a losing World Cup side. Such was their domination on attack. But crying out for a finishing touch and this match would have been over a long time ago. Canada’s fantasy debut was not to be. Toby Alderwiereld’s laid on a dime long ball found Mitchi Batshuayi, overcoming his inner demons for a rare perfect first touch, for a clinical finish.
The Canuck has many framed pictures of Wayne Gretsky and his retired 99 number jersey. His stats are posted above the urinal. Wee, awe. Wee, awe. Arcade Fire sits above in neon blue. A wall devoted to the many Hollywood stars. Maybe, just maybe we could see, in the future, a montage of John Herdman, Alphonse Davis, Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, Atiba Hutchison, Sebastian Estaquiao, Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston, Milan Borjan, and others of Les Rouges grace the Canuck. Would be nice. For more inside the numbers.