World Cup fans cheer on Leamington, Ont. player, despite a defeat

CBC
·2 min read
Canada's Stephen Eustáquio stands his ground against Belgium's Axel Witsel in their World Cup opener on Wednesday. (AFP via Getty Images - image credit)
Canada's Stephen Eustáquio stands his ground against Belgium's Axel Witsel in their World Cup opener on Wednesday. (AFP via Getty Images - image credit)

Despite another loss at the World Cup on Sunday, fans in southwestern Ontario are still excited to cheer on the players — especially a midfielder with roots in Leamington.

It was a bittersweet moment for Canada yesterday in Qatar when the team played Croatia. Canada's Alphonso Davies ended up in the history books, scoring the country's first goal in World Cup history. The team would go on to be defeated 4-1.

That has not put a dent in the local pride felt for Leamington-born Stephen Eustáquio, who has been delighting his hometown.

"The pride factor is immense right now. To be Canadian and involved in the soccer scene, not just Leamington, but anywhere in Canada," said Dan Santos, founder and president of the Leamington SC United Soccer Club.

"It's a big moment now and going forward for the next few years."

WATCH | Canada makes history at the World Cup: 

Santos said the local club has been cheering on the whole team, and especially Eustáquio. It put together a video on social media, showing its support.

Canada has lost to Belgium and Croatia, so it's already known the team will not be moving on after group play at the tournament.

The final action for Eustáquio and his teammates will be Thursday, against Morocco.

"Him and his family alone, just exceptional people," said Carlos Soares, the head of club player development in for Leamington SC and also a friend of the Eustáquio family.

"We grew up, through friends of the family basically, we share the same relatives, so I still remember them when they were here, and then just basically been following Stephen's journey ever since he started playing football. Family is incredible, and it's honestly not a surprise."

Yukihito Taguchi/USA TODAY Sports
Yukihito Taguchi/USA TODAY Sports

Soares says he remembers  Eustáquio's dedication to his sport, practicing and training on family vacations as a young teen.

Now, Soares is enjoying watching his successes.

"I cannot even begin to explain the emotions that run though your body," he said. "It's nothing but pride, I'm so proud of the team."

The goal scorer, Davies, lived in Windsor for a year when his family arrived in Canada from Africa.

Soares and Santos say the hometown connections are inspiring their young players.

Watch Soccer North live immediately following each of Canada's games on CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports YouTube channel

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