Canada Coach Claims Multiple Whitecaps Players Poisoned in Mexico

Canada men's national team coach Jesse Marsch has alleged that three Vancouver Whitecaps players were deliberately poisoned during their trip to Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, marking the second consecutive year an MLS team has fallen ill under suspicious circumstances in Mexico. After losing 5-0 to Cruz Azul, a significant number of Whitecaps players and staff experienced gastrointestinal issues, forcing the cancellation of training sessions. Marsch expressed his frustration with CONCACAF for failing to protect the teams, referencing a similar incident last year when Columbus Crew players became ill ahead of their final against Pachuca. Although Marsch admitted he has no concrete proof of deliberate poisoning, he emphasized that the recurrence of such incidents is highly suspicious and unacceptable. The three affected Whitecaps players—Sam Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, and Jayden Nelson—were called up for Canada's upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup roster but may not be fully fit to play. Marsch called for greater measures to safeguard players and criticized the competitive tactics used in Mexico that go beyond typical spirited rivalry.