Canadians we can believe in

In the end, our Canadians were better than their Canadians.

Sure, Brian Ching got the brace in Dynamo's 3-1 win last night (can't seem to find highlights anywhere. Ah well.), but Dwayne De Rosario was my true Man of the Match. DDR's goal just before the end of the first half was a thing of beauty. Catching Toronto napping and then dinking it past Sutton for the score was a huge lift going into the break. Then DDR comes back and assists on the Flyin' Hawaiian's first goal early in the second after Thundering Pat Ianni secured his trip to Beijing with an out-of-nowhere interception, feeding DeRo, and it was all over but the shouting from there.

Or so we thought there at Robertson Stadium.


Toronto showed some spirit in a game in which they were just dominated. Super Canuck Pat Onstad made back-to-back, point blank saves on Laurent Robert and Jarrod Smith that were things of beauty. Then came Chingy's third a few minutes later on a nifty cross from Stuart Holden. Jeff Cunningham's goal salvaged some pride for the other Canadians out there, but then it was well and truly over.

Here are some ratings.

Onstad: A+ on the kick saves alone. Again, he showed why Dynamo are much the lesser team when our very own Special Ed teacher goes to international duty.

Back line: A- Cunningham's goal was too easy, but other than that, they were lights out. Waibelinho got beat on several occasions. I know he's just happy to be out there, but he'll be even happier if he can go back to the right side. Ianni gets an A on his interception that led to the second goal alone. He just roared out of the backfield and sent the entire Toronto defense on its heels. Wow. Boswell had several nice clearances, but also got bailed out on a few mishits. A solid game, just not one of his better ones. Mulrooney was also solid.

Midfield: B+ Holden had a nice cross for Ching's second, but is still looking to get untracked. Mullan once again is making great runs that go absolutely nowhere. The Ashe vs. Marvell Wynne battle was entertaining all night. Too speedsters going toe to toe. Clark was very solid showcasing once again why he's second only to Shalrie Joseph in the holding mid role.

Forwards: A+ Two for Chingy, a goal and an assist from DeRo. Does Dwayne stay up top? He says no, but honestly, this is the best top pairing we've seen all year. Results alone mean De Ro has to stay up top. Can you see another possible combo that has worked?

Subs: Davis and Wondo were nice coming in, though both came in too late to merit a grade. Wondo's card was great. Talk about announcing your presence. He was a one-man goon squad.

(Fallas' take on the game is here.)

Hopefully, some of this will carry over to Thursday night, though it will have to be without DDR, who will be away for international duty. I don't think the Orange are going to see as much space to operate as they did last night against the Revs. Still, it should be a beautiful game, and a result better than the season opener would be nice indeed.

What do you think?