Canada vs. USA: Americans Must Build Momentum Before World Cup Qualifying

The United States needs to have a short memory and forget about the 4-1 debacle against Brazil before battling Canada on Sunday. It's the last friendly before World Cup qualifying begins, and the Americans need to build up some momentum.

Expectations were actually pretty high heading into the Brazil game after a strong showing against Scotland a few days earlier, but the more talented South American squad ran circles around the American back line, and Tim Howard couldn't bail them out.

While it's obviously a disappointing result considering the team's recent hot streak after adapting to Jurgen Klinsmann's style, it's important to remember that Brazil is one of the best teams in the world for a reason.

It was a measuring stick game, and the Americans found out they have a lot of work left to do. Nothing more and nothing less. Now it's time to move on.

The team's next opponent, Canada, should provide far less resistance. The Canucks haven't played since late February when they lost 3-1 against Armenia. Team USA faced them in last year's Gold Cup and cruised to a 2-0 victory.

So, it's clear the United States have a pretty sizable advantage going into the match. That means the most important thing probably won't be the result, but rather how well the team plays ahead of the qualifying opener next week.

Between Clint Dempsey's cameo appearance last game, as he works his way back from injury, and continued good form from Herculez Gomez, the American attack should receive a boost alongside the always reliable Landon Donovan.

The midfield has also been playing well. Michael Bradley has reasserted himself as a first-team regular with two-straight quality games in the middle, and Jermaine Jones has really impressed in his recent starts, giving Klinsmann another dependable option.

Alas, the play of the back line hasn't been anywhere near as sound. The United States hasn't been able to find a combination on defense that has worked. Aside from captain Carlos Bocanegra, there are plenty of question marks moving forward.

Oguchi Onyewu, who once looked like the dominant central defender the team needed, is only a shell of his former self. After that, everybody else that's available—other than Steve Cherundolo—lacks experience, and have been prone to mistakes.

Dwayne De Rosario leads a capable Canadian attack, so the American back line should get tested. A better overall performance from the unit is necessary to boost their confidence level again.

Even though the United States should advance from the first round of qualifying with relative ease, it's important they don't enter it on a cold streak and make it more difficult than it has to be.

A solid all-around game against Canada should get the team right back on track.