Canada 2-2 Guadeloupe: Off-the-field struggles bleed onto the pitch in Gold Cup opener

An already troubling day for Canada got even worse as they tied Guadeloupe 2-2 in their Gold Cup opener.

FIFA’s 47th-ranked team were just minutes away from victory in Toronto but a Jacen Russell-Rowe own goal in the 93rd minute gave Guadeloupe a shock draw.

The underdogs had taken the lead in the 23rd minute through Thierry Ambrose before Canada regained control through a Lucas Cavallini goal and a Meddy Lina own goal in the 70th minute.

Canada outshot Guadeloupe 17-9 but ultimately had to settle for one point 

The draw comes after a report from TSN that the Canadian soccer federation could file for bankruptcy and be forced to bypass the September and October international windows.

Canada’s Jonathan Osorio (21) reacts following the team’s draw against Guadeloupe

Junior Hoilett #10 of Canada battles for the ball with Meddy Lina #19 of Guadeloupe

The women’s national team will be playing in forthcoming World Cup next month, but things could go south in the fall.

‘We are in a real struggle. It’s not imminent, but we need to explore what bankruptcy entails and how it might affect our organization,’ said Jason deVos, the interim general secretary of Canada Soccer, in an interview with TSN.

‘We don’t have enough revenue coming in for the programs that need to be run, and that includes everything from grassroots coach education and referee development to youth national teams and our senior men’s and women’s teams.’