Soccer in Canada | Canada Hosting the 2026 World Cup

[megadude]

Glad we made it deep, but like England, it wasn't all that impressive. CNMT only won 1 out of 6 matches. That lone win was with a man advantage, and the first half when it was 11v11, Peru outplayed us. However, yes, we did show quality that was a step above generations past. Basically, didn't look out of place. That's an important step.

While England made it to the final, they won 2 out 7 games in regulation. Their other win was AET, which only got there because they scored a last minute tying goal. On the flip side, Spain, which had nowhere near the star power of the past, went 7-0 and managed to beat the likes of Italy, Croatia, Germany, France and England. Spain, like Italy the last time, played the best football despite not having a top 3 roster.

This CA did indeed show some good quality, but the tournament itself is not all that serious. It flip flops all the time with its frequency. It invites teams that are not in their continent. One thing to invite teams in the Americas, but they've also brought in Japan and Qatar before. The reffing was shambolic, as usual. There were mulitple crowd incidents (though this happens at EU and WC). And they went straight to PKs after regular time, but on a whim decided to change that before the final, just for the final.

[megadude]

I was in Ottawa checking out some properties we lend on. Across the street I noticed this. Hadn't actually thought about where Canada Soccer is HQ'd, but Ottawa makes sense. What did surpise me was that it's basically in a house office. I kind of pictured it would be in an office building, but like loft style on the fringe of a city's downtown. Like a Liberty Village or Yonge/Bloor in Toronto. This is indeed on the fringe though.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the US and yup, same style. In Chicago.

[svlt]

Originally Posted by samne

Really proud of our Mens Team. What an amazing tournament. Finally a legit team that can match up and play any other side. The most athletic, skilled and cohesive Team Canada I’ve ever seen. Big props to Coach Marsch. They are young and hungry and set up nicely for 2026.

As an aside. Copa America itself was great and right up there with Euros for quality and prestige.

Prestige I'm not so sure, it certainly has the heritage going for it but the pool is small. But I do think if they bring the top 4-6 teams of CONCACAF to it every edition it'll make for a good tournament. Outside of Bolivia and Jamaica no other team that played was a total joke. Really hope they do it again for 2028.

[Denscity]

Happy 50th Anniversary Vancouver Whitecaps.

[elly63]

[elly63]

Jonathan David's club Lille is apparently interested in Derek Cornelius

[samne]

Originally Posted by svlt

Prestige I'm not so sure, it certainly has the heritage going for it but the pool is small. But I do think if they bring the top 4-6 teams of CONCACAF to it every edition it'll make for a good tournament. Outside of Bolivia and Jamaica no other team that played was a total joke. Really hope they do it again for 2028.

Agreed the top 4 Teams from CONCACAF would be great. Would really be the championship of the Americas. The Copa 2024 edition had 6 of worlds top 20 Teams. Second to the Euros.

Prestige is relative. You can see how much this tournament meant to the players and fans.

I didn’t so much mind the PKs after regulation. Most often nothing more is accomplished after additional 30mins OT.

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by megadude

and second time I only went down after seeing in the corner of my eye that my foot was pointing the wrong way.

Ouch, my sympathies, but at least it wasn't a David Busst-level extrusion, a grotesque sight that caused the nearby goalie, Schmeichel, to vomit onto the field.
I was something of a soccer phenom when I was younger, but didn't have the desire or temperament for a pro career. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by samne

As an aside. Copa America itself was great and right up there with Euros for quality and prestige.

Are you sure about that? lol. I mean the final match nearly saw people getting trampled to death, after they breached the security gates.

[megadude]

Originally Posted by Gresto

Ouch, my sympathies, but at least it wasn't a David Busst-level extrusion, a grotesque sight that caused the nearby goalie, Schmeichel, to vomit onto the field.
I was something of a soccer phenom when I was younger, but didn't have the desire or temperament for a pro career. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

I thought about how if you’re really good and can play at a high level for a long time then you’re going to get bad injuries. It’s like we take it for granted that pros in sports get serious injuries and they just soldier on after recovery. At least they’re getting paid well for it. Unless you’re at a lower level like our national league. Like if that was me, I’d be worrying about when my injury was coming. You play in a league with slide tackling so it’s just a matter of time. Perhaps subconsciously this played a role for you.

My cousin has had multiple broken legs or ankles, including from men’s rec.

For me, I was D and stuck my foot out to block the strikers last minute shot on a partial breakaway. I saved the tie. But his hard shot struck my foot in a way that it turned it almost 90 degrees. Doctor said it was the cleanest dislocation he’d ever seen. Every ligament torn and no fracture. When the two ER doctors grabbed my foot and put it back in place, if anyone in the Humber Heights neighborhood of Etobicoke was sleeping, I woke them up with my scream.

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by megadude

I thought about how if you’re really good and can play at a high level for a long time then you’re going to get bad injuries. It’s like we take it for granted that pros in sports get serious injuries and they just soldier on after recovery. At least they’re getting paid well for it. Unless you’re at a lower level like our national league. Like if that was me, I’d be worrying about when my injury was coming. You play in a league with slide tackling so it’s just a matter of time. Perhaps subconsciously this played a role for you.

My cousin has had multiple broken legs or ankles, including from men’s rec.

For me, I was D and stuck my foot out to block the strikers last minute shot on a partial breakaway. I saved the tie. But his hard shot struck my foot in a way that it turned it almost 90 degrees. Doctor said it was the cleanest dislocation he’d ever seen. Every ligament torn and no fracture. When the two ER doctors grabbed my foot and put it back in place, if anyone in the Humber Heights neighborhood of Etobicoke was sleeping, I woke them up with my scream.

Did they not even anaesthetise you?! Crazy. No, injuries were not a consideration when I was younger, though I do have a soccer-related break. At recess in grade 5, I ran after a ball that had been kicked over the school fence. I nonchalantly vaulted the fence, my shoelace got caught on the top of the fence, and I plummeted to the ground, my left arm out. Luckily it was not a compound fracture, but it was close and my forearm was pointing 45 degrees to the left. Ironically, my surgeon was named Dr. Bent.
I could perhaps have become a tennis pro as well, but a sports career was just never in my mind to pursue. It doesn't fit my diffident personality.