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:the 1st half, Sports

Canadian men’s soccer team to face World Cup champs Argentina at Copa America

by Paul Desbaillets

“As Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup in 2026, this event in June will also provide the team with experience against world-class opposition and bring Canadian soccer to a global audience.”

The Canadian men’s national soccer team’s recent victory against Trinidad and Tobago has secured their spot in this summer’s Copa America.

With a final score of 2–0, Canada has not only qualified for the prestigious and sexy tournament but has also set up a thrilling opening match in Atlanta against 2022 World Cup champions Argentina.

For Canadian soccer fans, this victory and the qualification for Copa America are sources of immense pride and excitement. The opportunity to watch our team compete on an international stage against some of the world’s best clubs is a dream come true — it’s as big as a World Cup final.

This game and inclusion in the tournament are a chance to showcase Canadian soccer’s progress and the talent coming from this country. Canada’s opportunity to face top teams will bring together the fan base, increase engagement with the sport and connect us all in being proud Canadians while supporting the team, much like the Olympics  and the World Cup do.

As Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup in 2026, this event in June will also provide the team with experience against world-class opposition and bring Canadian soccer to a global audience. The 2022 World Cup was too quick and oddly timed (in December) to properly do that. 

Interim head coach Mauro Biello decided to include players like former Canadian Premier League standouts Joel Waterman (a GOAL Initiatives Ambassador) and Jonathan Sirois alongside the likes of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David — a fantastic blend of experience and fresh talent. This vibe and team chemistry will definitely have an impact on the international stage.

Canada’s participation in Copa America will demonstrate the growing interest in soccer on the part of both fans and businesses, which could in turn boost investment in the sport across the country. Any success in that tournament could also continue the domino effect, inspiring younger generations and leading to more participation at a grassroots level. With the women’s national side already at the top, this is exactly what we need to become a powerhouse on the field in the men’s game.

Canadian men’s soccer team will face World Cup champs Argentina at Copa America

Now across the pond, the 2023/24 Premier League season is winding down and the race for the top spots remains intensely competitive, with several teams fighting not only for the championship but also for the crucial UEFA Champions League qualification positions. This season has seen a particularly tight race among the leading teams, reflecting the high level of competition and the quality spread across the league. (My beloved blues unfortunately are not even close to this conversation.)

As of the latest standings at press time, Arsenal and Liverpool are neck in neck at the top with equal points, but Arsenal leads due to a better goal difference. Manchester City is just a point behind, making the race for the title and the top Champions League spots as tight as ever. Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also in contention, with each team aiming for a spot in European competitions and the big dollars that go with that.

This season has been marked by some dramatic matches that have played significant roles in shaping the current standings and have kept all of us fans on the edge of our seats.

The final matches of the season promise to be highly competitive, with key matchups potentially deciding the fate of the teams involved. The battle for the top spots and European qualification will definitely provide us another memorable season.

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Posted in :the 1st half, Sports

by Paul Desbaillets

Contributor
Paul is a Canadian entrepreneur. He is a partner in Burgundy Lion Group which owns several establishments in his hometown of Montreal. Paul is also the founder of GOAL Initiatives Foundation, a national CRA charity making a difference through cultural development, wellness and youth sports programming. In 2019, Paul created the 1st Half Podcast Football Culture show, dedicated to all aspects of the beautiful game. Paul interviews chefs, musicians, artists, athletes, fanatics, influencers and anyone else he can find willing to talk to him about the football ecosystem.