Soccer fans across Nova Scotia are gathering for scheduled watch parties on Saturday to support local winger Jacob Shaffelburg as Canada faces Morocco in a historic World Cup round of 16 elimination match.
The 26-year-old Port Williams native helped secure Canada's first-ever knockout stage appearance after delivering a crucial 92nd-minute cross that led to Stephen Eustaquio's game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over South Africa at SoFi Stadium.
Shaffelburg, who plays for LAFC, successfully made the World Cup roster despite undergoing sports hernia surgery in January and subsequently suffering a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three months earlier this year.
Hometown Viewing Events
In Shaffelburg's hometown, the Port Pub and Bistro is hosting a massive viewing event, expanding its capacity by installing large screens on the deck and cordoning off half of its parking lot alongside the neighboring Bay of Fundy Brewing Company.
Rob Webb, one of the pub's owners, noted that the establishment expects a massive turnout from the community to cheer on the player local residents have nicknamed the "Maritime Messi."
"In the Port itself, in our taproom side where we have a TV, we'll probably have 150 to 200 people there, inside and outside," said Webb.
The venue previously hosted viewings for Canada's group stage matches, including a 6-0 win against Qatar where Shaffelburg forced an own goal.
"We're also going to put some extra TVs on our deck. And then for half of our parking lot, we're going to cordon it off.
There's another brewery right next to us that used to be called Wayfarer's (Ale Ltd.) and now is called Bay of Fundy (Brewing Company), but on the side of their building there's going to be a 100-inch TV and an 85-inch TV.
That'll be for anybody that doesn't want to come in and eat and have drinks," Webb said.
The event will feature outdoor food and live music to accommodate the large influx of local supporters.
"There will be food and live music out in the parking lot, so people will have a watch party out there, as well.
We're not sure, but it could be between 500 to 1,000 people here to watch the event," Webb said.
Additional celebrations are planned in downtown Halifax, where the Halifax Wanderers will host a free, all-ages public festival in a converted parking lot on Lower Water Street.
Community Pride and Family Roots
The Shaffelburg family has deep athletic roots in the Annapolis Valley, with his father Michael having played soccer for Acadia, his brother Zach playing for the Axemen, and his sister Jessica captaining her NCAA Division 1 team at Jacksonville University.
"His father Michael is a dermatologist in Kentville, so a lot of people also know him that way," Webb said.
Community excitement remains high across the province as Shaffelburg holds the distinction of being the first Nova Scotian to ever play for Canada at a World Cup.
"The family drops in here from time to time, but Pam keeps us up to date with exactly what's going on in Jacob's life," Webb said.
"It's pretty special that Jacob is from our community here.
Everyone here is really proud of him, so it's pretty exciting down here to see what he's doing at the World Cup," Webb added.
Team captain Alphonso Davies expressed immense pride in the squad's defensive resilience and final execution during his post-match interview with TSN.
"I felt joy. I felt relief.
It was a tight game from start to finish.
To see the ball go in the back of the net, it was total joy for us," said Davies.
The tournament continues on Saturday with Canada playing its elimination fixture in Houston.
