In a corridor under the stands at the decrepit Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, a numb Stephen Hart refused to make excuses after watching Canada implode in a shocking 8-1 loss to Honduras.
His team was well-prepared. The heat was not a factor. His players were all professionals. Reminded that he was not on the field during the debacle, Hart paused and said simply: "But it's my responsibility."
Hart, 52, lived up to that credo two days later by handing in his resignation as national men's soccer coach.
"He's a good football man. He's a good man, period," Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, said Thursday.
"This game is a beautiful game but at time it can be cruel," he added. "And I think we all know what needed to happen."
Hart's record as coach was 20-15-10 in various stints from 2006 to 2012, ranking him second in wins and first in win percentage among Canadian coaches.
The resignation will not be welcomed by the majority of Hart's players, who regarded their coach with respect and affection.
"The disaster in Honduras had nothing to do with coaching or tactics," said veteran fullback Ante Jazic, who missed Tuesday's game through illness. "We were well prepared for that.
"We the players have to take full responsibility with that performance. Unfortunately, Stephen's a proud man and he felt the need to resign."
