Canada fell 2-0 to the United States in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League, the second edition of a tournament which replaced international friendlies in the region and put another trophy in the mix for men's national teams.
But in the moments after the loss, a frustrated John Herdman, the Canadian men's coach since 2018, challenged the country's soccer organization to be better as it prepares to co-host the men's World Cup in 2026.
"We've got to get serious about winning a World Cup [in 2026]. When you play at home you get a chance to win it," Herdman said in reference to Canada Soccer, which has undergone a complete overhaul of its leadership.
"We've brought a World Cup to our country and we're not serious about winning it," he added, his voice rising. "And you see how close that team is tonight. Tactically, we were there. Chances, shots, we were there. The margins were so tight tonight, so tight. We've got to get real. We've got to get real. And quick.
"Because these players, they deserve it. They deserve their shot. The country deserves it. All the people that worked to bring it [the World Cup to Canada] deserve the shot. Let's get after it. We're close."