Canada men's soccer: Phoneys will be sniffed out, and kicked out
Article content
For Canadian soccer fans, the Iceteca was more than just the seminal moment in Canada's incipient and unexpected run to the World Cup. It was magical.
Article content
Cyle Larin's brace. Sam Adekugbe's effervescent leap into the pile of sideline snow. The -9°C temperatures. The first win in 45 years over Mexico in a World Cup qualifier. The emergence as The Team to beat in North America.
Article content
The 2-1 triumph, the first over Mexico in 20 years, boosted Les Rouges atop the qualifying table. It was 376 days before Canada would ultimately kick off against Belgium at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, their first trip to the tournament since 1986.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup ticked over in a grand ceremony and clock unveiling at B.C. Place this past Wednesday, the same stadium Canada will play its first game of the Gold Cup tournament against Honduras on Tuesday.
Article content
Article content
The stakes are different this time. In 2021, it was excitement and a team oozing with confidence, having overcome incredible odds to emerge as the region's best team.
Article content
The confidence is still there, but those plucky, fabulous underdogs have grown up.
Article content
'A lot of the guys have experience from the last World Cup and we just need to keep that same rhythm we had throughout that year and bring it in to the World Cup. … We want to do something special there,' said forward Cyle Larin. 'I think the more you do well, the more that people expect. When you start playing better, doing well, scoring goals, winning games … it's (raised) expectations. And the more we go up in the rankings in the world … people expect more. That's the level we want.'
Article content
Article content
In qualifying for the last World Cup, Canada had to basically start from scratch when the process was changed because of COVID. The top four-ranked CONCACAF teams got a bye into the final round — the eight-team Octagonal — while Canada had to scratch and claw its way through two preliminary rounds. The team responded by setting a slew of records, including an unprecedented 17-game unbeaten streak, as they stormed through the field, eventually finishing as Kings of CONCACAF.
Article content
Article content
As a host nation for 2026, there will be no qualifying drama. Their spot is assured. Their focus is solely on winning, momentum and peaking in the summer of 2026.
Article content
'I think everybody knows how important this summer is and what it means for next summer,' head coach Jesse Marsch said. 'I've explained my feelings about this tournament to the team over the last months, but I didn't really have to. They all said to me, 'We're coming. We want to win it.' And so that's a big statement, but that's how they feel. And I'm glad that I coach a team that feels that way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pierce drawing from his time with the Bombers
VANCOUVER — The West Coast looks good on Buck Pierce. Sure, the B.C. Lions' head coach is a little busier these days than the last time pro football brought him here as a player, but he's often reminded why this was the perfect place to land his first gig as a bench boss. 'It's good. It's kind of full circle, right? I grew up on the West Coast, so being back out here, I consistently have family and friends coming up to games. So, there's some familiar parts about it,' Pierce, who was raised in Crescent City, Calif., said Friday in a chat with the Free Press. DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES B.C. Lions' Buck Pierce was handed his first loss as head coach of the club last week by his former team. 'There's some familiarity, absolutely, but being in Winnipeg for the time that I was there, I also got accustomed to that. Life moves a little faster out here,' he added while chuckling. 'It's a little busier. But there's obviously things that I've missed about living here, but there's things that I miss about Winnipeg, too.' The 43-year-old spent the first 10 years of his coaching career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, two as a running backs coach and three working with quarterbacks, before taking offensive co-ordinator duties for four seasons. Hired by Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea at the beginning of his tenure in 2014, Pierce didn't waste many opportunities to learn from one of the all-time winningest coaches. That time together has already served him well, as Pierce often finds himself drawing back on his time with O'Shea. 'I mean, I learned a ton — football related, unfootball related. I really enjoyed our relationship, obviously, as co-workers, but just as two guys who wanted the same thing, and very like-minded. I ask myself all the time, 'What would we have done in that situation?'… and I have no issues ever picking up the phone and asking either.' The off-season was different than what he was used to, being onboarded then getting right into building a roster around his franchise quarterback Nathan Rourke. Pierce was quick to correct himself, saying he doesn't have an off-season now. His phone is always on because he needs to be reachable. He's also spent less time watching TV, something he was able to do as an offensive co-ordinator. Though the added responsibilities have life moving at Mach 50, Pierce said those are the most enjoyable parts of the job. 'You understand the role to an extent, but you don't know until you actually do it. It's more of the off-the-field stuff. It's being more involved with communications throughout the organization, on every level. And then the field stuff is the field stuff. It's about football and getting to know the guys, and all those types of things,' he said. 'Somebody asked me about what was one of my favourite things about it: it's just about being around the players and seeing how they react, and what they need. So being able to help it in that role of being a provider for them and making sure that their needs are being met, and if they're not, what can I do to help?' That was also his favourite part about being an offensive co-ordinator, but now that duty is extrapolated as the leader of an entire team. 'Being able to communicate with the entire roster, and getting to know guys, maybe a little bit more personally than what you would in different roles. But, as far as being a co-ordinator, to a head coach, I think you have more communication with the whole team, and I think that's excellent and that's what I enjoy.' That sentiment quickly resonated with his players. It didn't take long for Pierce to win over the locker room and get team members to buy into his message. 'He kind of just wears it on his sleeve. It's kind of who he is,' said quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who will start for the Lions when they face the Bombers at BC Place on Saturday (6 p.m. CT). Masoli called Pierce 'an open book' who has instilled a 'no-nonsense' mentality around the club. It's made it easy to rally behind him. 'We talk about grit at this place and just having that heart, and he kind of walks around and exudes it just with his personality,' he added. 'It just kind of permeates through the locker room, and we all got to follow suit.' How Pierce has changed from his time as an offensive co-ordinator is a question perhaps only centre Michael Couture can answer. The nine-year vet spent seven of those working with Pierce in Winnipeg — two of which he was calling plays for — before heading west in 2023. 'For me? No,' said Couture. 'I'm getting the same guy, the same guy that I remember. He was one of the first people I got to talk to when I got into the building in Winnipeg, my rookie year in 2016, and to me, he's been the same guy ever since then. It's been familiar, which is nice.' Couture was asked by several teammates about their new head coach when he was hired in December. The centre did his best to talk him up, but it appears Pierce has done a fine job of selling himself. 'His attention to the details as a coach,' Couture said was his best quality as a head coach. 'I think that's something I've heard throughout the locker room that has been a big point so far this year, and I think guys respond really well to his message day in and day out. It's very consistent, and it's something that a lot of guys can relate to, being that he's been in our position before. So that's huge coming from the head guy.' Pierce has already won and lost as a head coach, as the Lions carry a 1-1 record into Week 3. His first tick in the loss column came against his former longtime club in disappointing fashion — a 34-20 decision in Winnipeg — but not all was bad on the trip. It was an emotional return to a familiar place for Pierce, who was honoured with a tribute video and a standing ovation from the sellout crowd inside Princess Auto Stadium. A defeat is never enjoyable, but that moment certainly took a bit of the sting out of the final result. 'I would not be telling the truth if I said there wasn't emotion going back into the building and being on the other side. We're humans, and they did a great tribute there during the game. I have such fond memories of the people there. It's the people there that I've been through it with and got relationships with,' Pierce said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'So, yeah, it was good to be back.' He paused briefly and revealed a telling grin. 'But we're excited to see them again, too.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Calgary Stampeders off to a hot start host winless Ottawa Redlacks in CFL
CALGARY – Doing it for Reggie was a Calgary Stampeders theme head of Saturday's CFL game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Veteran receiver Reggie Begelton, in his eighth season as a Stampeder, had surgery this week following a leg injury that will keep a key cog in Calgary's offence out of the lineup for some time. 'Big piece, can't replace him, but you know he's been here, he's been talking to us all week, watching film with us, helping us, so you know we're looking to do it for Reggie this week because we know he wants to be out there with us,' said receiver Erik Brooks, who was promoted to starter because of Begelton's absence. Both Calgary (2-0) and Ottawa (0-2) enter Saturday's clash at McMahon Stadium with significant lineup changes. Ottawa's quarterbacking carousel stopped on Dustin Crum after Dru Brown (hip) was injured in the season-opener against Saskatchewan and Matt Schiltz was intercepted three times by Montreal in Week 2. Brown took a few reps in practice this week, but it was Crum doing first-team duty. The 26-year-old Crum has a 3-11 record in CFL starts. 'We know all three quarterbacks. Obviously Dru's not going to suit up,' Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. 'Different styles. I'm sure (they) call a different game for all three guys. 'But we're just going to play our game, we're going to see what the weather's like, how we feel the best way to stop them is.' Continuous rain forecasted for southern Alberta could make for a soggy afternoon at McMahon. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. says that prospect isn't unsettling for him having played for the University of Oregon Ducks. 'The rain's not a huge deal,' Dickenson said. 'You can call your game. Maybe a little harder to catch the ball and throw the ball. We've all played in some nasty weather, especially playing and living in Canada. 'It's ball security basically. Special teams has a huge impact in a bad-weather game. Balls on the ground, the kicks that are hitting the ground and bouncing backwards. Special teams is always important, but in windy, bad-weather games, I think the importance is even more.' Adams has yet to throw for a touchdown in two games, but he's navigated Calgary to nearly 400 yards of net offence per game and ranks second to Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell in passing yards (585). 'The first two games I feel like the defence has really held us in there and then we come back like later on in the game,' Adams said. 'That shows our resiliency. We would like to get going a little bit more and stay more consistent, but I just like the fight that we have and just staying together.' Begelton, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver, was placed on the six-game injured list after he went down on the Stampeders' second play from scrimmage in last week's 29-19 over the Toronto Argonauts. He underwent surgery Thursday. When Adams goes to the air, he's expected to lean on Canadian Jalen Philpot, who compiled a career-high 117 receiving yards against the Argos, and Dominique Rhymes, who had four receptions for 98 yards. A wet game can turn into a running game, and Adams has a solid option in Dedrick Mills with 122 rushing yards and a league-leading four touchdowns in two games. The Stampeders will also be minus offensive lineman Bryce Bell (shoulder), long snapper Aaron Crawford (knee) and linebacker Marquel Lee (bicep), who was scheduled for Friday surgery. Micah Teitz has shifted to middle linebacker and Jacob Roberts into starting weak side in Lee's absence. Calgary's defence ranks third in the league in yards allowed (355.5), points allowed (22.5) and opponent rushing yards (57.0). Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. According to CFL statisticians, strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief allowed only three of eight passes in his direction to be completed in Toronto, and those passes amounted to a total of seven yards with no first downs. New Stampeder cornerback Adrian Greene had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown against the Argos. Ottawa is thin at weak-side linebacker with Lucas Cormier (ankle) and Davion Taylor (ankle) both out. The Redblacks need to get their run game going as 70 yards over two games ranks last in the league. They also need to stop shooting themselves in the foot with a league-leading 231 yards in penalties. Shiltz was 22-for-32 in passing for 205 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in last week's 39-18 loss to Montreal. Crum has scored a pair of short-yardage touchdowns this season. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Senegal women's basketball team members denied US visas, prime minister says
The Senegalese women's basketball team has scrapped plans to train in the U.S. for the upcoming AfroBasket tournament in the Ivory Coast next month after several players and team officials had their visas denied, Senegal's prime minister said. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on Facebook Thursday that the team would train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, 'in a sovereign and conducive setting.' The West African nation's federation said in a statement that the visa applications of five players and seven officials weren't approved. 'Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the 10-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America,' Sonko said. The visa denials come amid a push by the Trump administration to have countries improve vetting travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States. Senegal wasn't on that list of countries and it was not immediately clear why the visas were denied. The travel ban includes exemptions for the World Cup, the Olympics and any 'other major sporting event,' though it's unclear what is considered a major event. The team is coached by Otis Hughley Jr., who previously led the Nigerian women's basketball team. He was the men's coach at Alabama A&M before resigning in March. Senegal, which was going to train in the U.S. from Sunday through July 3, has finished either first or second in four of the last five AfroBasket championships over the last decade and has won 11 titles in total. The tournament determines Africa's champion, which earns entry into the FIBA World Cup next year in Germany. ___ AP sports:
