Soccer fans in Vancouver left disappointed after abrupt cancellation of Canada-Panama game

Fans wearing red and white Canadian national team soccer jerseys and carrying flags and signs were left crestfallen at the gates of B.C. Place in Vancouver Sunday after a friendly match with Panama was abruptly called off.

"I mean we just got to the World Cup, a match in Vancouver and we get to finally see some excitement for the beautiful game in our country and this is what happens?" said Danny Bromley, who was at the downtown arena with his young son to see the match.

They had driven more than an hour from Chilliwack, east of Vancouver, to see the men's national team play. It would have been the first time the team played in Vancouver since March of 2019.

But the men's soccer team refused to play the World Cup warm-up match because of a contract dispute between the players and the sport's national governing body.

"It's just not a good look," said Bromley.

Alex Linning, along with his dad, mom and two brothers travelled to Vancouver from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island — which takes nearly four hours and includes a ferry ride — to see the Canada's men's national soccer team in action.

After learning the game was cancelled, the family sat in front of B.C. Place with their soccer jerseys and signs they had brought to cheer on the team.

"Disappointed," said Linning. "I just wish they would have cancelled a little bit sooner."

Kiola Werner also came from Vancouver Island to see the team, only to learn the game was cancelled two hours ahead of the opening whistle.

"There are a lot of other people who came from Vancouver Island as well," he said. " So, I guess we gotta go home disappointed."

The men's team had been on a high since clinching a spot in the biggest soccer tournament in the world in March for the first time