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Having won his first cap for Canada 19 years ago, Pat Onstad knows his Canadian soccer history.
And the veteran goalkeeper considers Canada's 2-1 win over Costa Rica at the Gold Cup in Miami on Wednesday as a night to remember.
"Probably one of the best performances I've ever been involved with for Canada," Onstad said Thursday from the Canadian team hotel in Sunrise, Fla. "The guys kept the ball, kept Costa Rica running around. A fantastic performance."
"We kept our shape really well," he added. "We were well organized, very tough to break down. And when we got the ball, we didn't give it away cheaply at all."
"Quite a performance," said assistant coach Stephen Hart, who is running the squad while coach Dale Mitchell looks after the under-20 side.
Hart says the national team has shown flashes of such play in the past, but this time the side put it together for 90 minutes.
It was a good day for Canadian soccer all-round. The men's under-20 team defeated the U.S. 4-0 in Kingston, Ont., while the national women's side blanked host New Zealand 5-0 in Auckland.
The Miami win was only Canada's fourth in 16 matches with the Ticos, who at No. 52 are currently ranked 42 places above Canada. The Canadian men are 4-7-5 against Costa Rica.
"They're the top Central American team," Onstad said of Costa Rica. "And I thought we thoroughly deserved to win."
The Central Americans' last game was a 2-0 home victory over No. 42 Chile.
Onstad took particular pleasure in Wednesday's win. His last game for Canada was a 3-1 loss to the Central Americans, in a World Cup qualifying match Oct. 13, 2004.
"And I had a poor game, gave up a sloppy goal ... For me that was the biggest disappointment. I left on a bit of a sour note," he said. "I guess it was poetic justice to come back and play Costa Rica."
Onstad never retired from international soccer, but former coach Frank Yallop told him he wanted to start some younger 'keepers.
"I thought it was it," said Onstad, now 39.
But Onstad was pressed into action after a strange turn of events at the CONCACAF championship in which backup 'keeper Josh Wagenaar suffered back spasm and then No. 1 Greg Sutton ended up with a mild concussion after taking a ball to the face in practice.
Onstad was flown in from Houston, where he plays for the MLS Dynamo.
The Costa Rica game was his first ever at the Orange Bowl and despite the rain, he savoured the experience.
"I really enjoyed every minute," he said. "I think the last couple of years, I've made an effort to make sure I enjoy every little time, whether it's my club team and certainly the national team. I had a little tear in my eye at the end of the match with the way the guys played and just the performance and the attitude of the players. It was very nice. I think Canada's really progressing in the right direction."
Onstad also likes the team atmosphere under Hart.
"The environment here is very different than it has been in years so it's been very enjoyable. Much more relaxed."
Sutton is recovering from the concussion and may be cleared to play against Guadeloupe on Saturday, meaning Onstad may return to Houston.
Hart, meanwhile, is making sure the Costa Rica showing is kept in perspective.
"Everybody's feet are firmly on the ground," said Hart. "We're not going over the top on this. We know it's only one game. Yes, it's against a good team but at the end of the day it's only one game."
Guadeloupe tied Haiti 1-1 Wednesday.
"Both teams were impressive," said Hart. "Very organized."
Canada has summoned Toronto FC defender-midfielder Chris Pozniak to bolster its ranks.
