Canada putting its best foot forward

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This article was published 03/09/2021 (1807 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was never going to be easy.

A “marathon,” as manager John Herdman called it, and after their 1-1 draw at home to Honduras on Thursday the Canadian men’s national soccer team will have to run just a little bit harder.

But they can do it. They’re good enough. The line-up at Toronto’s BMO Field that kicked off the octagonal stage of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying was the best this country has ever sent out of the tunnel. And by some distance.

Yes, they expected to beat Los Catrachos—“a drop of two points,” according to Herdman (and just how refreshing is that mindset?)—but they’ll be right back at it on Sunday against the United States in Nashville (7 p.m., TSN), and then again on Wednesday when they host El Salvador.

Five points from three matches wouldn’t be the worst return for Canada, and given how tight the eight-team section already appears to be, it would likely have them in the thick of it when things really get serious after Christmas.

A marathon, remember?

Or, for a more recent metaphor, an Andre De Grasse 200-metre race. Perhaps somewhat average out of the blocks, but then hitting stride at just the right time and crossing the finish line for a podium finish. And making the podium is all Canada have to do.

That’s not to downplay what they’re up against. But a podium finish should be expected of this team. They can do it. They’re good enough.

For what it’s worth, they deserved more than a draw with Honduras. Some analysts didn’t see it that way, but given the fact that Canada hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986—they haven’t even contested a final round of qualifying in more than two decades—their gloom is understandable.

It’s just not appropriate with this team.

Canada had nearly two-thirds of the ball on Thursday and out-passed their opponents 474-252. Those are meaningful numbers. Granted, they need to improve in the final third, but there’s simply too much quality in the side to keep them off the scoresheet for long.

And if it doesn’t happen against the United States, it’s still too early to push the panic button. Canada played the Americans off the park in this summer’s Gold Cup and they’ll likely have the majority of possession in Nashville. Stephen Eustaquio and Atiba Hutchinson are two of the best midfielders in the region, and Herdman could also introduce Mark-Anthony Kaye to the XI to complete a remarkably well-rounded trio.

A draw would be an excellent result.

The United States are coming off a difficult nil-nil in El Salvador that saw them place just a single shot on target. Goals come at a premium for them as well. For all of CONCACAF, really. Panama and Costa Rica also played to a scoreless draw on Thursday.

In other words, context is important when evaluating the performance against Honduras. No team came away with what they wanted during the week, except Mexico, who scored late to edge Jamaica 2-1 at the Azteca.

Canada will visit both Mexico and Jamaica next month, after which, including Sunday’s encounter, they’ll have played their most difficult away games by the fifth matchday. The standings might not look the best at that point, but that’s when they’ll start to accelerate.

That said, they do need to beat El Salvador on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., Sportsnet) — and ideally polish their buildup play and goalscoring skills in the process. Cyle Larin and Jonathan David were far too isolated in the Honduras match. Alphonso Davies provided occasional service from the left, but Canada need to turn their midfield dominance into meaningful chances down the centre.

The U.S. showdown will be a good test. They, too, have a very good young team — one that recently won both the Gold Cup and Nations League. They’ll expect to win, and even if they do it won’t be the end of the world.

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Not for Canada. Not for this group of players.

The marathon has only just started. There’s a long way to go, and they’ll be just fine.

They can do it. They’re good enough.

jerradpeters@gmail.comTwitter @JerradPeters