Canada Coach Marsch Alleges Repeated Whitecaps, Columbus Crew Poisonings in Mexico

The Vancouver Whitecaps experienced a significant health issue after their Concacaf Champions Cup final loss to Cruz Azul in Mexico, with multiple players and staff suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms that led to training cancellations. Canada men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch accused that three Whitecaps players—Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekube, and Jayden Nelson—were poisoned, echoing similar incidents from the previous year when the Columbus Crew faced food poisoning before their final in Mexico. Despite the Whitecaps' precautions, including bringing their own chef and dietitian, these measures failed to prevent illness. Marsch criticized Concacaf and the relevant authorities for allowing such conditions to persist and called for protective actions, suggesting the repeated nature of these incidents may not be coincidental. The Whitecaps have not made direct allegations of foul play, but the pattern has raised suspicions and concerns about the safety of MLS teams competing in Mexico. The affected players have recovered but are not expected to perform full matches in upcoming fixtures, highlighting the ongoing impact of the situation.