FIFA fork in the road: Canada’s World Cup path hinges on match against Switzerland

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VANCOUVER – It was a glorious rout, the first-ever World Cup win for the Canadian men’s team.

Now they need to forget all about it.

Preparation for the final group stage match at BC Place for Jesse Marsch’s team involved flipping the switch after initially savouring the 6-0 shutout win over Qatar, which catapulted the team to the top of Group B.

“We know as proud as we are of the performance against Qatar, that to really capitalize on that performance, we need to back it up with an even better one against Switzerland,” Marsch told TSN on Wednesday.

• IN PICTURES: Canada at the FIFA World Cup

Jonathan David, whose slump-busting hat trick led the team to victory, was asked whether he is relishing the performance.

“You just have to appreciate what happened last game, but onto the next,” said David, Canada’s all-time leading men’s goal scorer.

The stakes Wednesday in Vancouver are significant. Depending what happens on the field, the team will hit a FIFA fork in the road, potentially moving in very different directions.

Canada’s larger goal differential means a win or draw would wrap up first place in the group, while a Swiss victory would move the Europeans into the top spot. Odds makers are placing the probability Canada either defeats Switzerland or the match ends in a draw at about 60 per cent.

Finishing first would secure a valuable knockout round game for Canada at BC Place Vancouver, and a full week of rest. A loss, and the Canadians would likely take off for Los Angeles, where they’d play days earlier against a potentially more difficult opponent.

Canada’s preference is clear.

“Staying here in Vancouver is definitely our No. 1 goal,” Marsch said.

The Canadians trained Tuesday at the University of British Columbia, with captain Alphonso Davies among them. The Bayern Munich star remains available as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but is not expected to start. Marsch told TSN Davies has made “great progress” working out with the group over the past week.

Canada’s roster has also been bolstered by the return of defender Moïse Bombito, who is expected to make his first start since recovering from a broken leg.

But Marsch and the team must contend with the loss of standout midfielder Ismael Kone, who broke his leg during the victory over Qatar to the horror of both fans and players on the field.

Switzerland presents Canada’s toughest test of the tournament, ranked 19th in the world by FIFA. Canada enters the match ranked 30^th.

Whatever happens Wednesday, Canada is almost assured to advance to the knockout stage, part of a historic run soccer great Christine Sinclair says is already further cementing soccer into the Canadian consciousness.

“The further that they go in this tournament, the more and more momentum is going to build,” Sinclair said.

Wednesday’s match is officially sold out through FIFA’s ticket portal. But if you hit the online resale market, you can still witness Canadian soccer history, win lose or draw, for roughly $1,400 a seat.