Canada soccer fans pack Commonwealth in rain for World Cup tune-up

More than 46,000 Canadians packed Commonwealth Stadium on Monday night in a downpour to watch the Men's National Team beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a World Cup tune-up match — a turnout that represented roughly 80 per cent of the arena's capacity despite miserable weather.

The rain was relentless, but Edmonton fans showed up anyway, dressed in rain ponchos and suits, to support a team preparing for home-soil World Cup play starting June 12. Jonathan Osorio and Jayden Nelson scored the goals.

"It means everything," Osorio said after the match. "Honestly, we're not surprised. The crowd here in Edmonton showed out a few years ago in a blizzard. I'm not surprised. The fans here are amazing; they showed up for us."

Osorio was referencing a November 2021 World Cup qualifier between Canada and Mexico played in -12°C snowstorm conditions — another moment when Edmonton's support transcended the elements.

Edmonton native Alphonso Davies, the national team captain, attended the match in person but was sidelined with a hamstring injury. On Tuesday, he confirmed he won't be available for Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12. "The first game of the tournament, it won't be possible," Davies said on the Sid Seixeiro Show. "But let's see what happens the second, third, maybe if we make it out the group stage."

Davies suffered a torn ACL in late March and has dealt with hamstring issues since returning from that injury. His absence from the opener is a significant blow to Canada's plans, but coach Jesse Marsch praised the fan support that showed up regardless.

"I think Edmonton likes the bad weather more than the good," Marsch joked. "The fans were great, everybody was out here early, the support for the team has been fantastic."