How much are Canadians willing to spend to turn soccer ambitions into reality?

When the Canadian men kicked off their Gold Cup campaign against unranked Guadeloupe at a subdued, storm-circled BMO Field on Tuesday night, the ecstasy of last year's World Cup qualification and the white-hot lights of Qatar seemed less like memories than the figments of a former imagination.

The disjointed, shaky performance that followed — Canada conceded an own goal in the 93rd minute to draw their Caribbean visitors, 2-2 — did nothing to help recall recent glories. It felt instead like an on-field re-creation of the boardroom chaos that continues to plague Canada Soccer.

The national federation, which in the best of times has exhibited all the stability of a three-legged chair, is in a state of profound financial crisis. Jason deVos, a former player now serving as Canada Soccer's interim general secretary, admitted to TSN this week that bankruptcy is among the options being considered. (He later explained that he was merely trying to educate himself on what bankruptcy would entail and that it is not a strategy being considered by Canada Soccer.) 

John Herdman, the men's head coach, revealed something of the federation's unbalanced ledgers after his side lost the Nations League final to the U.S. in Las Vegas earlier this month. He lamented that his team could afford only a four-day camp while their opponents enjoyed far longer residencies, complete with exhibition games.

WATCH l Canada's men's soccer team stunned by unranked Guadeloupe:

DeVos' bankruptcy confession made plainer the scope of the problem. Canada Soccer hosted the Women's World Cup in 2015 and will co-host the men's tournament in 2026 — the crown jewels of a sport infamous for its unabashed largesse — and yet finds itself close to broke.

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