After watching his team lose 2-0 to the United States in Sunday’s CONCACAF Nations League final, Canadian coach John Herdman challenged Canada Soccer to “be realistic” when it’s about preparing your team.
During the tournament, Herdman pointed to Canada’s lack of preparation compared to other countries. He returned to this theme with emotion after the defeat.
“We have the best generation of players we’ve had and there are more coming… That support, we have to sort it out financially,” he said. We have to take our goal of winning a World Cup (in 2026) seriously. When we play at home, we have a chance to win it. »
“We brought a World Cup to our country and we’re not serious about winning it,” he added, raising his voice. And you see how close this team is tonight. Tactically, we were there. The chances, the shots, we were there. The margins were so tight tonight, so tight. We have to be realistic. We have to be realistic. And quick.
“Because these players deserve it. They deserve their chance. The country deserves it. Everyone who worked to bring the World Cup to Canada deserves their chance. You have to get into it. We are close to the goal. »
Herdman said he had to personally help raise funds for charter flights and security during World Cup qualifying.
“It costs a lot of money to organize everything for these (international) windows. I think it’s no secret that the organization (Canada Soccer) has suffered financially. »
The issue of preparation and resources has been at the center of ongoing negotiations with Canada’s men’s and women’s teams.
Canada’s focus is now on the Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 27 at BMO Field in Toronto, against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.
