Canada's men's soccer team, better than ever, hopes for more support a year out from World Cup
Waiting for the World Cup
14 minutes ago
Duration 2:23
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It will be "Soccer Day" in Toronto on Thursday, with a celebration planned at Nathan Phillips Square and the unveiling of a countdown clock: In exactly one year, the Canadian men will kick off their first home World Cup game at a revamped BMO Field.
Hopefully it will fill up by then.
On Tuesday, Canada lost a shootout to Ivory Coast after a scoreless draw but still claimed the inaugural Canadian Shield, a mini tournament staged in preparation for this month's Gold Cup that also included New Zealand and Ukraine.
And yet those same men — playing better than they ever have, against stronger opponents than they've usually faced — have failed to win the attention they deserve. Despite an announced attendance of 18,489, BMO Field wasn't at half-capacity; more fans looked to be streaming from its parking lots to the Halsey concert at nearby Budweiser Stage.
"I'm hopeful that in Vancouver we can sell that stadium out, get close to selling that stadium out," head coach Jesse Marsch said, shifting his focus to Canada's next home game, its Gold Cup opener against Honduras on June 17th at BC Place. "Like, come on, come out and support the team."
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Even if Vancouver answers his call, Toronto's apathy this week is worrisome: That countdown clock at City Hall will hit zero in no time, and Canada, along with the U.S. and Mexico, will co-host the biggest sporting event on Earth.
It might want to start acting like it.
When former head coach John Herdman led the team to Qatar in 2022, the first men's World Cup for Canada since 1986, the country's expectations outstripped the game's sometimes painful realities. Three group-stage losses revealed the gulf that remained between Canada and the world's best sides and soccer cultures.
Under Marsch, the gap has closed. Against Ukraine and Ivory Coast, his squad demonstrated a depth and potency that should leave long-suffering Canadian soccer fans dreaming of previously unimaginable heights. Hope should be turning into genuine belief; wishes should be feeling more like facts.
Canada scored three in the first 31 minutes against Ukraine on Saturday before finishing off a thrilling 4-2 win, the first for Canada over a European opponent since 2011.
Fielding a far weaker lineup against Ivory Coast, Canada still shut out the African champions in a physical, foul-heavy affair.
"We bent at moments, but we didn't break," Marsch said. "That part was great."
The visitors nevertheless received the most dedicated support: A troupe of Ivory Coast fans played drums and tambourines and blew whistles deep into the night. Canada's faithful Voyageurs tried to muster a counter. Their efforts were diminished by the empty seats around them.
"If I'm honest, I'd prefer to see a full stadium of red, especially here at home," defender Derek Cornelius said.
WATCH | Canada wins Canadian Shield despite penalty loss:
13 hours ago
Duration 1:59
There are excuses, and some of them are good. The Canadian Shield games were glorified friendlies; seats weren't cheap, and MLSE changed a confusing ticket format mid-stream; it was a late kickoff on a school night. The U.S., playing Switzerland in Nashville, didn't sell out, either.
But the Americans are playing horrific soccer. They were demolished by the Swiss, 4-0. The Canadians are self-elevating, and their potential, if far from limitless, is unprecedented heading into their all-important World Cup. Their first group-stage win, and maybe even the knockout rounds, are within reach.
Beyond the presumed boost of playing at home, Marsch's men will be in favoured Pot 1 for the group draw, along with their co-hosts and the nine top-seeded qualifiers.
With next summer's tournament expanding to a record 48 teams, Canada could face an even weaker group than top seeds normally enjoy. Possible opponents include debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan. New Zealand has earned Oceania's now-automatic bid. Three CONCACAF countries beyond the co-hosts will qualify. Curacao is so far among the undefeated.
Meanwhile, Canada continues to get faster, braver, more clinical. On the field, everything is falling into place for a history-making run. The fans are the only missing piece. There has never been a better chance for Canadians to see something special happen for and with their men, and there might not be again in their lifetimes.
They have a year to decide what to make of it.
Tick, tick, tick.
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