David vs. Goliath, soccer edition: Canadian fans get ready for Copa semifinal against Lionel Messi’s Argentina

David doesn’t often beat Goliath. But on Tuesday night, that’s what Canadian soccer fans will be praying for.

Continuing its historic run at the Copa América, traditionally a South American soccer tournament which features a half-dozen North American and Caribbean teams this time around, Canada’s men’s national team will take on defending World Cup champion Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi in the semi-finals, hoping for an upset of biblical proportions.

The game is the biggest the men’s team has ever played on the international stage after defeating Venezuela 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Friday. Supporters, electrified by Canada’s debut run in the prestigious competition, are now travelling from far and wide, by car and by plane, to show their support in East Rutherford, N.J., where the game will take place at MetLife Stadium.

Soccer, the most popular sport in the world and played by more kids than any other in Canada, usually takes a backseat to hockey, especially on the men’s side. But the Canadian men have seen a slow and steady rise to stardom in recent years. Only twice have they qualified for the World Cup, most recently in 2022. Newly minted captain and Edmonton native Alphonso Davies managed to score the first-ever goal for the men’s national team at the tournament, but Canada failed to advance out of the group stage.

Canada gets another shot at the men’s World Cup in 2026 as a host country, along with the United States and Mexico. Meanwhile, the Canadian women’s team will be defending its Olympic title this summer and has qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for all but one tournament since it began in 1991.

No soccer-playing country is having a better summer than Canada at the Copa América – upsetting Americans is the cherry on top

Colin Berenhaut, who played for Canada’s men’s national team in the 1990s, said it’s incredible to see how much the game has grown here. He said there was limited exposure and few opportunities when he played, adding that it was difficult to even watch matches on television. But now, he said, homegrown talent is being spotlighted at international tournaments, showcasing players for the next generation to look up to.

“The kids can see it now. They can see themselves now. They don’t have to look to other countries to get their inspiration,” he said.

Mark Sweetapple, a father of three from Halifax and long-time coach and Canada supporter, said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take his children to see Tuesday’s match. He loaded them into the car on Sunday and began the long trek to New Jersey, stopping en route to speak with The Globe and Mail over the phone.

His three children share the same favourite player: Nova Scotia native Jacob Shaffelburg, who’s been nicknamed the Maritime Messi, and scored for Canada in the quarter-final win over Venezuela.

“For us, in Nova Scotia, to have a local player doing really well in the tournament has brought even more attention and more hype and excitement for everyone involved in soccer in Nova Scotia,” Mr. Sweetapple said. “When are we going to get this opportunity again to see Canada play Argentina and do it in the semi-final of a major tournament? You just want to experience it.”

Canadian fans have been wildly outnumbered in the stands during the tournament as South American supporters have filled the seats, singing and chanting through most of the matches. But long-time fan Erika Schneidereit, who travelled from Ottawa to watch Canada beat Peru in Kansas City and earn a draw against Chile in Orlando during the Copa America group stage, said the energy has been unmatched.

“Now that we’re sort of being introduced to the world on this more global scale, you want to be like ‘This is who we are as a team, as a country,’ and the kind of values we promote,” she said. “You want to be respectful but also show that we have the same passion here. We have the same fervour for the game. We love the game and that’s something other countries don’t know.”

Ms. Schneidereit said she’s sad to miss Tuesday’s game in person but that it will be special to watch with fans at home. With the eyes of the world turned to soccer right now – the European Championship is being played simultaneously in Germany – she hopes the excitement will pique the interest of others who might fall in love with the sport. Friday’s game drew over 4.3 million viewers on television, a record likely to be broken on Tuesday. The World Cup created buzz and this tournament is building on that, Ms. Schneidereit said.

The odds are stacked against Canada, currently ranked 48th in the world, but fans who spoke to The Globe are keeping the faith. While Argentina did defeat Canada 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament on June 20, Canadian players and their new coach Jesse Marsch have been adamant that their best game is yet to come.

Jamie Neugebauer, a fan since he was a young boy, said it’s hard to believe soccer appears to have finally found its place in Canada.

“It’s a special thing to watch something fail and struggle for decades and then see it succeed finally,” he said from Regina. “I couldn’t have even dreamed that they could be relevant in the way that they are, both in the greater soccer world and in the Canadian mindset.”