CanMNT ends the red and white’s historic men’s FIFA World Cup appearance

The GIST: Due to myriad defensive missteps and a lack of offensive spark, the No. 41 CanMNT crumbled in a 2–1 loss to Group F winners No. 22 Morocco yesterday, ending the red and white’s historic men’s FIFA World Cup appearance.

Tournament recap: The lads finished the tourney without notching a single point, but they did net the nation’s first men’s World Cup goal on a beautiful header from forward Alphonso Davies. Meep meep.

• Overall, we’re proud of the boys for their glimpses of brilliance on the world stage, but the major takeaway is a desperate need to strengthen their brittle defensive core. Time for the guys to take some notes from the women.

What’s next: Speaking of, there are only 230 days (not that we’re counting) until the reigning Olympic champion CanWNT kicks off their eighth World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand next summer.

• In the meantime, the men will hopefully be implementing much-needed backline adjustments ahead of March’s continuing CONCACAF Nations League competition. Just the beginning.