Before 40 seconds had expired, the Canadian hopes of hanging in with the host Americans went out the window; all because a group of players started the game like a group of deer caught in headlights. It’s impossible to fault one player on the Americans’ opening goal; you have to fault all 10 men in red on the field.

But at no time in that scoreless 2013 run did Canada have a chance as clear-cut, as golden, as the one that Cyle Larin spurned in the first half of the match in Carson, Calif. against El Salvador.

The FC Edmonton coaching staff refers to him as the “wee man.” But, the shoulders on Hanson Boakai’s five-foot-four body will have to carry a lot of weight.

Canadian national team coach Miller had nothing but praise for Bekker, saying the TFC midfielder’s service was excellent, and that Canada could have won the game 4-1 or 4-2.

“The sad thing about not going to the World Cup is the fact that we don’t get five extra games now — including two CONCACAF games and then the three guaranteed (at the World Cup),” said Dasovic

“It’s going to be great. They’re our rivals so everyone’s going to be psyched,” said Clarke, who converted Ben Fisk’s corner kick in the first half and John Dollery’s cross in the second. “I’m pumped for the game. I think it will be a really great game. We beat them already in Spain and I definitely think we can beat them again.”

In the first half, the Canadian U-20s didn’t take their chances. In the second half, they were simply taken to the cleaners.

Toronto FC’s Doneil Henry won a close vote over Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Samuel Piette and claimed the title of Canada 2012 male U-20 player of the year.

Canada’s U-20 men’s team scalped the United States Wednesday at the Marbella Cup in Spain.

Stephen Hart offered no surprises in naming the Canadian men's naional-team roster for Sept. 7 and 11 World Cup qualifiers against Panama.