“Marcus Haber has said there was strong contact inside the box and I genuinely believe it’s a penalty kick. The big fella is very honest unlike the player on Thursday night,” Miller said in his post-game press conference referring to Mexico’s Marco Fabian. “He’s an honest player and he hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s been fouled inside the box, in my opinion, and I think it is a penalty kick and I said to the referee also after the game that I thought it was a penalty kick.”

“It’s not a penalty. I’m biting my lips here as hard as I possibly can,” Miller said, sporting a wry smile. “What I’m saying and what I’m feeling are two totally different things, I can assure you.”

The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Tuesday that forward Simeon Jackson, who came on as a sub in Sunday’s shocking Gold-Cup opening loss to Martinique, has left the team. The former Norwich City striker, who is unattached, is off to Europe to pursue a “club commitment” there. Jackson’s departure has the blessing of current Canadian men’s national-team coach Colin Miller.

“It doesn’t matter — for me or one of the 41 members, whether it's the United States, Mexico or Canada, I believe it is too important for us to host the World Cup in 2026,” Webb said emphatically. “And that will have been 32 years, which would have been the longest time since World War II that we have not hosted the World Cup as a confederation.”

What Miller does now is that Martinique recently beat the Portland Timbers U-23 side by a 2-1 count, and that it is a good technical side. Steve Gustan and Stephane Abaul scored for Martinique against Portland’s youth side. Abaul plays for one of Martinique’s most recognized teams, Club Franciscain.

As Attakora is recovering from a concussion, he won’t have to report to the Canadian camp in Oxnard, Calif. immediately after this weekend’s MLS matches. Miller said that Attakora will remain with the Quakes for an extra week.

Canadian national-team coach Colin Miller hasn’t quite closed the door on midfielder Atiba Hutchinson playing for his country at the upcoming Gold Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart has called up Carlyle Mitchell to the national side for the Gold Cup. And that means the Whitecaps’ central defender will leave the club after this weekend’s road date at D.C. United.

“We are in a situation where the player hasn’t committed either way, to play for Canada or to play for Scotland. If Fraser opts to play for Scotland, that’s fine, we wish him the best of luck. But, looking at the best interests of our national team, we have made a formal approach to Rangers and the player.”

The FC Edmonton coach was granted permission by the Eddies to steer the Canadian national team through the July tourney. The fact that the NASL schedule goes on hiatus in July allowed Miller the time needed to prepare and coach the squad.