3 Canadian national team players among the Whitecaps stricken by illness
The Whitecaps said a "significant number" of players and staff had a gastrointestinal illness. Three of them — Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe and Jayden Nelson — were ill when they arrived at Canada's training camp in Halifax ahead of Saturday's Canadian Shield match against Ukraine, coach Jesse Marsch said Friday.
'They're better now,' Marsch said. 'They're probably not ready for 90-minute performances."
The trio practiced with the national team Friday in preparation for the match at Toronto's BMO Field. Canada also plays Ivory Coast on Tuesday as it readies for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Marsch, who said it was his understanding that the players had food poisoning, questioned how it could happen two years in a row. Last year, Columbus Crew players fell ill while playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final in Mexico against Pachuca.
"If I were the Vancouver Whitecaps, if I was the Columbus Crew, if I was MLS, I would be angry. I would be absolutely angry that this had been allowed to happen,' he said.
The Whitecaps were forced to cancel practice Wednesday and had a modified session for cleared players Thursday after both players and staff reported the gastrointestinal symptoms. It appeared many players had returned Friday.
'The health and well-being of our players and staff remain a top priority. Each player has been provided with an individualized program by the medical and performance staff to support their continued preparation and recovery,' the Whitecaps said in a statement.
Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster told reporters that about half of the 75 people who returned to Canada via charter following the game reported symptoms. The Whitecaps lost 5-0 to Liga MX team Cruz Azul in the tournament's championship game Sunday night in Mexico City.
The Whitecaps were scheduled to play the Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup rivalry match at BC Place on Sunday. Nine players were already going to be missing because of national team duty, including Ahmed, Adekugbe and Nelson.
Schuster said the Whitecaps have been in contact with the league about whether the team would have enough players for the game.
"If we have enough healthy and fit players available, we want to play it, of course,' Schuster said. 'No one ever wants not to play a game if he thinks he has a group together that is ready to compete in this game.'
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
2 hours ago
Las Vegas tourism is down. Some blame Trump's tariffs and immigration crackdown
LAS VEGAS -- Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration's tariffs and immigration policies for the decline. The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11% drop compared to the same time in 2024. There were 13% fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15%, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Mayor Shelley Berkley said tourism from Canada — Nevada's largest international market — has dried up from a torrent 'to a drip.' Same with Mexico. 'We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren't so keen on coming in right now. And that seems to be the prevailing attitude internationally,' Berkley told reporters earlier this month. Ted Pappageorge, head of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, called it the 'Trump slump.' He said visits from Southern California, home to a large Latino population, were also drying up because people are afraid of the administration's immigration crackdown. 'If you if you tell the rest of the world they're not welcome, then they won't come,' Pappageorge said. Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33% in June compared to the same time a year ago, while WestJet had a 31% drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62% decline. Travel agents in Canada said there's been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the U.S. overall, and Las Vegas in particular. Wendy Hart, who books trips from Windsor, Ontario, said the reason was 'politics, for sure.' She speculated that it was a point of 'national pride' that people were staying away from the U.S. after President Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. 'The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything,' Hart said. At downtown's Circa Resort and Casino, international visits have dipped, especially from Canada and Japan, according to owner and CEO Derek Stevens. But the downturn comes after a post-COVID spike, Stevens said. And while hotel room bookings are slack, gaming numbers, especially for sports betting, are still strong, he said. 'It's not as if the sky is falling,' he said. Wealthier visitors are still coming, he said, and Circa has introduced cheaper package deals to lure those with less money to spend. 'There have been many stories written about how the 'end is near' in Vegas,' he said. 'But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting.' On AAA's annual top ten list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas slipped this year to the last spot, from number six in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida — home to Disneyworld — hold steady in the top two spots, with New York City moving up to third for 2025. Reports of declining tourism were news to Alison Ferry, who arrived from Donegal, Ireland, to find big crowds at casinos and the Vegas Strip. 'It's very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we've gone. And really, really hot,' Ferry said. She added that she doesn't pay much attention to U.S. politics. Just off the strip, there's been no slowdown at the Pinball Museum, which showcases games from the 1930s through today. Manager Jim Arnold said the two-decade-old attraction is recession-proof because it's one of the few places to offer free parking and free admission. 'We've decided that our plan is just to ignore inflation and pretend it doesn't exist," Arnold said. 'So you still take a quarter out of your pocket and put it in a game, and you don't pay a resort fee or a cancelation fee or any of that jazz.' But Arnold said he's not surprised that overall tourism might be slowing because of skyrocketing prices at high-end restaurants and resorts, which 'squeezes out the low end tourist.' The mayor said the rising cost of food, hotel rooms and attractions also keeps visitors away. 'People are feeling that they're getting nickeled and dimed, and they're not getting value for their dollar,' Berkley said. She called on business owners to 'see if we can't make it more affordable' for tourists.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
Canadian Little Leaguer had a brutally honest response about meeting Juan Soto
Misha Lee who is representing Canada in the #LLWS isn't the biggest fan of Juan Soto. 😂 One of the cooler parts about the Little League Classic is that the Little Leaguers get an opportunity to interact with big-league players and watch an MLB game up close. But when it comes to Juan Soto, one Canadian Little Leaguer wasn't exactly rushing to meet the Mets star. During Sunday's Little League World Series action, Canada defeated Australia, 12-0. And during an ESPN interview ahead of the evening's Little League Classic, Australia's Issei Hamano was asked which player he was hoping to meet. He said Juan Soto. Then, Canada's Misha Lee was asked if he also wanted to meet Soto. And, well, I don't think anyone expected the response. "Eh, he's kind of overrated," Lee said. He added that he was hoping to meet the Mariners' Cal Raleigh instead. And hey, he chose wisely. Raleigh hit his league-leading 47th home run on Sunday. Soto finished the night 0 for 2 with three walks in the Mets' 7-3 win.
New York Post
13 hours ago
- New York Post
One Little Leaguer had no interest in meeting ‘overrated' Juan Soto
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Juan Soto's All-Star exploits haven't endeared him to everyone. On Sunday morning, hours before Soto's Mets would face off against the Mariners in the MLB Little League Classic, the Vancouver and Brisbane squads faced off, with Canadian broadcaster TSN inquiring which MLB stars the youngsters were excited to meet later in the day. Team Canada's Misha Lee did not hold back after his Australian counterpart answered with Soto. 'Eh, he's kinda overrated,' Lee said. 'He's alright.' Lee, a pitcher/first baseman for the Canuck side, revealed he was much more interested in getting a glimpse of the Big Dumper himself, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Canada certainly channeled their favorite sluggers, racking up 13 hits over six innings and posting five runs in the fifth frame en route to a 12-0 win over the Aussies. Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after being walked against the Seattle Mariners in the third inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images When Little League play came to a close on the day, everyone packed into Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., and they certainly got a show from the MLB teams. Mark Vientos' three-run homer keyed the Mets to a 7-3 win that included a two-run long ball from Raleigh in the seventh inning. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS Many of the young fans in attendance, however, asked for — and received — a show from Soto, who entered the stadium to adoring fans and stopped to sigh autographs. In the bottom of the eighth, the Little Leaguers began to chant for the Dominican superstar's patented 'Soto Shuffle,' and he delivered in a delightful scene. While Soto's final line — 0-for-2 with three walks and a stolen bases — may not have been the power display the kids were hoping for, the Mets won their second straight game, a feat they hadn't accomplished in weeks.
