‘It’s been something to behold.’ Canadian Leafs send shout-outs to World Cup-bound soccer team

By: Kevin McGran - Staff Reporter, Toronto Star Posted: 6:00 AM CDT Monday, Mar. 28, 2022 Last Modified: 6:00 AM CDT Monday, Mar. 28, 2022

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It’s fair to say the Maple Leafs — at least the Canadians among them — are quite impressed with the Canadian men’s soccer team.

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It’s fair to say the Maple Leafs — at least the Canadians among them — are quite impressed with the Canadian men’s soccer team.

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This article was published 28/03/2022 (1653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s fair to say the Maple Leafs — at least the Canadians among them — are quite impressed with the Canadian men’s soccer team.

“It’s been fun to watch that group, their competitive spirit, how they’ve competed for each other and for their country,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “It has been something to behold. So to see them get rewarded to clinch a spot in the World Cup has been outstanding.”

Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 at BMO Field on Sunday to clinch the nation’s first World Cup appearance on the men’s side since 1986. Most of the players live west of the downtown core and would have driven past a packed BMO Field on their way to Sunday’s game against the Florida Panthers.

Steve Russell - Toronto Star
Canada’s World Cup soccer breakthrough was a hit in the Leafs dressing room before Sunday night’s win over the Panthers. — Steve Russell - Toronto Star Canada’s World Cup soccer breakthrough was a hit in the Leafs dressing room before Sunday night’s win over the Panthers.

“I saw it driving in,” said Leafs captain John Tavares, who lives in Oakville. “Just a packed house, obviously a great moment for Canadian soccer and for those players. To see them back in the World Cup is tremendous. Really exciting.”

Winger Mitch Marner said the Leafs didn’t use the Canadian team as inspiration in a 5-2 win over Florida because “we’ve got Americans in our locker room, so I’m sure they weren’t cheering too hard for Team Canada. I’m super proud of them. It’s a great achievement for them and it’s a cool thing we (watched) in the locker room.”

Keefe said he played competitive soccer until he was 14. He credited the women’s national team — who won Olympic gold in Tokyo last summer — for kick-starting a greater awareness of soccer by sports fans in Canada.