A month ago, the United States and Canada were at each other’s throats in the women’s and men’s hockey gold medal games at the Winter Olympics.
First, the American women beat the Canadian women in overtime.
Two nights later, Jack Hughes and his toothless smile took over the world, as he scored his own overtime winner to take the gold from Canada in the sport they take the most pride in.
As if fate tied the two countries together in global sporting conflict, the United States and Canada will face off once more, but this time on the baseball field instead of a hockey rink.
On Wednesday, neither team knew they would be playing in the knockout rounds. But after Canada pummeled Cuba in a do-or-die game while Italy blew out Mexico to help Team USA advance, the two sides will now meet in another grudge match this weekend.
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For Canada, they are playing with house money, considered a massive underdog, but putting together the right hits and important outings at the right time to make it through a difficult stage.
On the other hand, it’s the complete opposite for the Americans. After losing to Italy in a game they were heavily favored in, and amid the bumbling comments from players and manager Mark DeRosa, there is no wiggle room for Team USA.
The Americans were given a chance at redemption following Italy’s drumming of Mexico, and they’ll now have to use that second life given to them to make a spirited run in the knockout rounds.
If Canada loses to the USA, it will be a non-story in Canada the next day. But if the Americans lose to Canada, the backlash will be worse than when Team USA went 2-0 against Canada in hockey at the Olympics. The reputation of American baseball on the international stage would be tarnished, and it would follow every coach and player from the team for years to come, similarly to when Argentina beat the United States in basketball at the 2004 Olympic Games.
After the disastrous back-to-back losses in hockey, Canada enters the quarterfinals with a smile on their face. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For Team USA, a win is expected. A loss, though?
DeRosa doesn’t want to imagine that world.
