Canada’s men’s national soccer team fell 2-1 to Switzerland on Wednesday in a crucial World Cup group stage match held at BC Place in Vancouver, finishing second in Group B. The loss means Canada will play its first knockout round match away from home in Los Angeles on June 28, rather than enjoying a home-field advantage in Vancouver on July 2 as originally hoped.

Entering the game needing only a draw to claim the top spot in the group, Canada faced a strong Swiss side and struggled early in the second half. Defensive lapses allowed Switzerland to take a 2-0 lead before Canada’s Promise David scored in the 76th minute to ignite a spirited late rally. The home side pressed hard in the final minutes, including a close-range header by Alistair Johnston in stoppage time that narrowly missed, but were unable to equalize.

The match drew a fervent crowd of more than 52,000 at BC Place, with thousands of Canadian fans gathering early near Science World for a march to the stadium. Supporters like Vancouver resident Greg Fairbairn, who attended with his wife and two sons, embraced the experience despite the outcome. “No matter what the outcome, I was really happy to experience it with them,” Fairbairn said after the game, adding he had already arranged to travel to Los Angeles for Canada’s next match.

For many fans, the game represented continued progress for a team that had struggled in previous World Cup appearances, finishing last without scoring in 1986 and near the bottom four years ago. B.C. Premier David Eby, in attendance, acknowledged the loss but praised the team’s strong second-half performance.

Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch expressed disappointment with the team’s intensity early in both halves, describing it as “very little” and identifying the defensive breakdowns that led to Switzerland’s goals as critical moments. Marsch stressed the importance of focusing ahead to the knockout round, noting the team still has “a massive opportunity” to advance further.

Goalkeeper Max Crépeau made several key saves to keep Canada in the contest, including a highlight stop on a close-range Swiss chance early in the match. Jonathan David, who scored Canada’s late goal, and his teammates created several scoring opportunities but could not overcome the early deficit.

With Wednesday’s loss, Canada faces an away match in Los Angeles against a likely South Korea side in the round of 32. The scheduling presents challenges including less recovery time and added travel after a momentous performance on home soil.

Despite the setback, Canada’s first-ever advancement to the knockout stage marks a milestone for the national team and the broader soccer community in the country. The team’s journey from World Cup underdogs to competitive contenders reflects growing enthusiasm and development in Canadian soccer.