Canada's World Cup journey ended with a subdued last-16 defeat to Morocco in Houston, Texas, on Saturday. Fans gathered at Toronto's oldest bar, The Wheatsheaf, but the atmosphere was muted. A vintage Manchester United jersey with 'Beckham' on the back was spotted, and Wayne Gretzky was booed when he appeared on TV. Tani Oluwaseyi's first-half effort forced a save from Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but Azzedine Ounahi scored five minutes into the second half. With Alphonso Davies not entering the match, optimism faded. The full-time whistle brought soft applause, and the bar quickly emptied.
Portugal's Arrival Overshadows Canada's Game
For much of the week, Canada's knockout clash was not the biggest soccer story in town. Portugal's arrival for their match against Croatia caused pandemonium. Hundreds of fans pulled over on the highway to catch a glimpse of the team bus, forcing police to shut down a portion of the road for an hour. Supporters camped outside the team's hotel, with Cristiano Ronaldo waving to the crowds. Media covered the restaurants Ronaldo's mother and sister visited. When Portugal left, fans turned out for a spectacular send-off. One fan said, "We caught the back of his head and the backpack. It's amazing, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Canada's World Cup Celebrations Compared
Canada had moments of joy: Cyle Larin's goal in the opening draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 6-0 win over Qatar, and Stephen Eustáquio's winner against South Africa. But none matched the outpouring for Portugal or Egypt, who partied in Vancouver after a 3-1 win over New Zealand. The question remains: why is it hard for Canada to generate similar hysteria, even as co-host?
Jesse Marsch's celebrations after the Qatar win were questioned, as the Canadian style is mild-mannered and pragmatic. But with things in flux, now is not the time to be quiet.
Uncertain Future for Canadian Soccer
Canada has been a junior partner in this World Cup. Despite investment, they haven't had the juiciest cases. Temporary seating at Toronto Stadium will come down, and Vancouver's professional men's club future is uncertain. Questions remain about CF Montreal, the domestic pro league, and where investment and infrastructure will come from. Nobody seems to have answers. Canadian soccer history is punctuated with nearlys and missed opportunities. Let's hope this World Cup isn't another.
