THE CANADIAN PRESS NATHAN DENETTE Canada fans cheer as the team arrives on the field to warm up ahead of Group F World Cup soccer action against Belgium at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Nov. 23.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
When Canada men’s soccer makes its second appearance on the biggest stage at the World Cup, the game will be shown on Medicine Hat’s grandest stage.
Canada’s World Cup game Sunday at 9 a.m. against Croatia will be shown on the big screen at the Esplanade Theatre. The watch party is hosted by the Esplanade, Medicine Hat Soccer Association and Medicine Hat College Rattlers Soccer.
The doors will open at 8 a.m. with a drum presentation at 8:45 a.m. during opening ceremonies. General admission is free on a first come, first served basis with donations accepted and proceeds going to the Root Cellar.
Rattlers soccer coach and MHSA technical director Sam Heap says he’s excited.
“It’s going to be a fantastic event with how well he national team did on Wednesday,” Heap said. “That’s going to build even more of an appetite for it and even more excitement. We’re really looking forward to seeing as many people at the Esplanade as possible.”
Canada opened its first appearance in the World Cup in 36 years with a close 1-0 loss to Belgium on Wednesday. They are still chasing their first goal on the World Cup stage. If they get that first marker Sunday, Heap says it will be a moment that will grow soccer in Canada.
“Take the results out of it, we just want that one moment and we nearly had it the other day,” Heap said. “We just want that moment where everyone that’s attached to soccer in Canada can latch on to and build for the next four years on the men’s side and a couple of years for the women’s side. It will just build and build before the World Cup comes to Vancouver in 2026.
“We just want that one moment where everyone got absolutely bonkers. I’m sure I’ll be pulling kids off of the walls.”
Heap, from Accrington, England, has experienced the hardcore World Cup fans while living in England. He hopes Sunday can bring close to the same atmosphere while also allowing casual and new soccer fans to cheer on Canada.
“Anyone who wants to come out, please come out and enjoy the experience. I’ve been watching in pubs, English fans throw beers in the air and all that kind of jazz, and I’ve been in there in England and it’s an amazing to watch soccer in that kind of style environment,” Heap said. “Although I don’t want beer being thrown at the Esplanade ceiling, that kind of vibe and that kind of atmosphere would be great for Sunday.”
The concession at the Esplanade will be open for coffee and muffin purchases, and bar service is available.
Heap says he appreciates how the Medicine Hat community is working together to set up an event like this and credited his associate coach Damir Omerovic and their volunteers for their work.
“The soccer community should be thankful for Damir, but he’s driven a lot of this behind the scenes,” Heap said. “Then there’s been volunteers from within MHSA, the coaches who have done a lot of work and the city have been great. Without everyone coming together in that way and pushing to get something like this for the area, it wouldn’t happen.”
Canada’s final game of the group stage is Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. against Morocco.
