Why Windsor soccer fans say Canada's World Cup performance was about more than wins and losses
Despite the men's Canadian soccer team going winless in this year's FIFA World Cup tournament, fans who watched Team Canada take on Morocco from The Manchester Pub say this year's tournament has transcended beyond wins and losses.
Natalie Fantinic — who has played on the St. Clair College women's soccer team — was among those watching Thursday's game from the pub. She said, prior to this year's World Cup, she couldn't convince her children to kick a soccer ball with her.
"After our first game against Belgium, I had a couple of kids and the whole neighborhood playing at the park," said Fantinic.
"It's exciting. I think for everybody in Canada, this has made a difference."
Following earlier losses to Belgium and Croatia, the Canadian team was already ineligible to advance in the World Cup, regardless of the result against Morocco. Canada dropped Thursday's game against Morocco 2-1.
While The Manchester was at standing room only for Team Canada's first two World Cup games, there was much more room to move around Thursday as only the most diehard Canadian soccer fans left their homes to watch Canada's battle against Morocco at the downtown pub.
Despite Thursday's result leaving the Canadian men's soccer team still searching for a single-game, World Cup victory — 17-year-old soccer standout Aaliyah Faddoul said there are still positives to take away from the team's performance.
"There definitely is soccer fever in the air. I think that kids who didn't even play soccer now want to get on a team which is amazing," she said.
"I think it brings more attention to soccer. Soccer is a sport where kids can lose the thought of other stresses and just be free, play, work out and be healthy."
Faddoul, who will be heading to the U.S. to play soccer at the varsity level after graduating from Sandwich Secondary School in LaSalle, added the previous successes of the Canadian women's national team — along with the men's team making its first appearance at the World Cup in 36 years — can inspire a new generation of soccer upstarts.
"It's great to see that there's a higher level in Canada. There's places where I can strive to be. Not only me, but other young boys and girls."
Thomas Mavrantzas, who also watched Canada take on Morocco from The Manchester pub, said he's hopeful for the future and is proud to have seen his country "compete on a world stage."
"We already have young players that will be in their prime for the next World Cup," he said.
Mavrantzas added he always watches the World Cup — but this year's tournament marked the first with a team he could actually get behind with his full support.
"It's a different feeling," he added. "I really wish we could have went further."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.