Emotions high as fans celebrate historic World Cup win

Soccer fans gathered for a watch party at Spruce Meadows where they cheered Canada to a 1-0 victory over South Africa. Tommy Osborne reports.

The Spruce Meadows Equi-plex was electric, as fans celebrated Canada’s historic 1-0 win over South Africa in the FIFA World Cup round of 32.

“It was just unbelievable, I couldn’t hold my tears, I can’t describe this feeling,” one fan in attendance said.

“Every little boy, little girl that wants to dream of playing soccer, they have a dream now,” added Cavalry FC’s Commercial Director Mason Trafford.

It was Canada’s first ever appearance in the knockout round, and the team will now continue its historic run into the round of 16.

“Soccer is here, we’re a soccer country. I think this is the defining moment from this point forward. We are a soccer country,” Trafford said.

“Canada has imposter syndrome when it comes to soccer. We have so many Canadians that just refuse to believe that we are great at soccer. And in a few short years, this generation of Canadian men’s soccer talent has completely flipped things on its head. We’ve gone from a team that can’t make the World Cup, can’t score a goal in the World Cup, to now in the last 16,” Trafford continued.

The Equi-plex absolutely erupted when Canada scored the game’s only goal, a storybook goal for Stephen Eustáquio, who found the back of the net in the second minute of injury time to deliver what many will remember as a defining moment of Canadian sports history.

“I think people now in Canada are realizing, ‘oh my goodness, not only are we a soccer country, but we are a good soccer country. We’re one of the best 16 teams in the world.’ It’s almost too much for the brain to compute for the average soccer fan,” Trafford said.

“I think what this will do for the soccer culture in this country, it’s almost incomprehensible,” Trafford continued.

The win captured the hearts of fans at the watch party and all across the country, and Trafford believes it’s the type of win that can provide a huge infusion of fans and players into our local soccer community.

“I’m so excited for what this is going to do to the country, and hopefully everybody can get behind soccer, whether it’s at the grassroots pro level or national team level,” Trafford said.

“We’re taking a big step getting the elimination round in the World Cup, so I think it’s huge. If we can grow the sport in Calgary, like expand Cavalry (FC) here, I think its great for the soccer world here,” a group of fans in attendance added.

Canada will now face the winner of the matchup between the Netherlands and Morocco on July 4.