Good Friday morning Caps fans. Hope it’s been a good week and that you are closing in on a weekend break.
It was a disappointing end to the group stage for Canada, who deserved at least a draw but was left empty handed against Switzerland.
The 2-1 loss means that the Swiss top Group B, which gives them a potentially easier pathway after the round of 32. It also means Canada gets shipped to the U.S. for their knockout round matches, rather than staying domestically.
The result certainly is a let down after the high of the blowout of Qatar. Canada’s finishing let them down and there were times in the first half where it seemed like they wanted to play for a draw. That’s an understandable impulse but rarely works out well.
Still, to be disappointed by a loss to a Switzerland side that came into form after a poor opening match is a vast improvement from the 2022 World Cup. Canada can justly say they are able to hang with this level of team.
The second place finish wound up working out for Canada in the round of 32 after South Africa stunned South Korea to place second in group A. After that, things get tougher, with a date with either Netherlands or Morocco awaiting. Still, when you get to the round of 16 there are no easy matches. And I don’t think any big team will be happy drawing Canada in the knockouts.
At least things looked up for some current and former Caps players in recent days. Sebastian Berhalter grabbed a goal and an assist in his first start of the tournament, even as the U.S. fell to Turkiye 3-2. Pedro Vite turned in a man of the match performance against Germany as Ecuador advanced to the knockout rounds. And Andres Cubas and Paraguay also booked their ticket to the round of 32.
Best of the Rest
In the category of things I assumed already happened, the Caps permanently transfered Joedrick Pupe to Belgian side Sint Truiden.
Qatar’s Assim Madibo was handed a five match ban from international football after his leg breaking tackle on Ismaël Koné. It feels a bit harsh and you wonder if it will get knocked down on appeal.
More on Canada’s no good, very bad injury luck.
It sounds like Neymar to MLS won’t be a thing.