Local Team Canada fans still proud after World Cup loss to Morocco

Canada did not slay Goliath. Team Canada is not moving further in the knockout rounds of the World Cup after falling to Morocco. There were some disappointed yet proud fans at Hamilton Stadium today.

Let’s put this loss into perspective. There have been a lot of firsts in this tournament for Team Canada. They notched their first knockout win in this tournament in club history, making them the first team to advance to the round of 16. It is the first tournament for the men on home soil. Fans at Hamilton Stadium had high expectations going into this match.

This is how it started: high energy and high hopes Canada could maybe, just maybe, come out on top today.

“I’m so excited for today’s game,” one fan said. “The World Cup is so exciting. It’s a chance for all of us to come together as Canadians. We’re proud of our country, we’re proud of this team. They have made such great gains and milestones. They’ve made history and hopefully we can do it again.”

Another fan added: “We wanna see them out of the round of 16, we wanna see them in the semifinals so they get pretty high in the World Cup. This is the highest we’ve ever been. Ending on a good note would be nice.”

“I feel pretty confident,” a third fan said. “We do have some strong players like Stephen Eustáquio, Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies if he hopefully plays.”

Fans at Hamilton Stadium came prepared for the weather and with hope for a win today, sitting on the edge of their seats just waiting for a goal. Forge FC hosted this party, hoping the excitement will grow their orange and white fan base.

WATCH MORE: Fans at Hamilton Stadium react to Canada’s World Cup loss to Switzerland

“I think we came out today against a giant of Africa,” said Alex Vera, Forge FC operations manager. “A lot of yellow cards. We wanted some aggression from our players and I think what coach Jesse Marsch wants to do. So I think we have a good chance.”

Then, minutes into the second half, Morocco scored first.

“I think we can come back after this goal,” Vera added.

Instead, goal number two for Morocco came, followed by goal number three in the dying minutes of the match.

One Morocco fan was both happy and gracious to Team Canada fans.

“I think Canada did really well,” he said. “I think soccer culture has grown here, as well as in the States. I’m very happy that the World Cup came here.”

“The game doesn’t really reflect how Canada plays,” another person noted. “We played very well, unfortunately we lost against an amazing team of Morocco. I’m still proud of the boys, they did really well.”

“Right now at this moment, a little disappointed I gotta admit. But yeah, good showing. And as it was said on the loudspeakers, the future is bright,” a fan said.

Another added, “Canada tried their best. They did everything they could, but at the end of the day Morocco is more experienced.”

The FIFA men’s world rankings support that statement. Currently, Morocco is ranked sixth and Canada is ranked 30th. However, Canada definitely showed they are a contender based on their experience in this tournament.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton World Cup fans react to Canada’s historic knockout match