Canada’s road to the World Cup could get bumpier in next round of qualifying matches

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This article was published 01/10/2021 (1826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The task at hand is about to get harder as the Canadian men’s soccer team prepares for its second set of World Cup qualifying matches starting next week.

And not just because tougher opponents await in more hostile environments.

Canada is tied for second place in the region’s last round of qualification for Qatar 2022, after taking five points from their first three matches in September. Eight nations are vying to clinch three World Cup berths in 14 matches between last month and March 2022. The top three teams will qualify, while the fourth-place team will advance to an intercontinental playoff game next June.

The Canadians’ performance in the first set of matches started with a ho-hum tie against Honduras on home soil, marked by nerves and a lack of cohesion. An away tie against the United States on enemy territory, when Canada come back from a goal down to earn a precious road point, got the team going. The Canadians finished the window by beating El Salvador handily.

With away games at Mexico and Jamaica, traditionally region powerhouses, and a must-win home game at BMO Field against Panama in the next window, Canada will have to hope it can pick up where it left off.

Centre back Scott Kennedy, who suffer a muscle tear between international breaks, is the only Canadian player to play in September but not October. Others are dealing with injury and health concerns, though, including goal scorer Cyle Larin, fellow striker Lucas Cavallini, captain Atiba Hutchinson and goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who tested positive for COVID-19 late last month.

And five players are already on yellow cards and will face a one-game suspension if they accumulate another, meaning Herdman may have to be strategic about who takes the field.

“It’s a window that we’re going to suffer a little bit, and that’s normal, it was going to happen, but it’s a real opportunity for us to show the quality of our depth,” he said after announcing his squad Friday.

Herdman has bolstered his options by calling four more players into camp than last month, including Toronto FC winger Jacob Shaffelburg. The players, all aged 23 or younger, earned their inclusion after getting consistent minutes with their professional clubs.

“I think there’s some big opportunities for players to stake a claim for future involvement in this journey,” Herdman said. “For anyone coming in, it’s an absolute opportunity to get yourself in the thinking for that World Cup squad.”

Expect changes game to game from Herdman, who prides himself on the squad’s tactical flexibility both between matches and during them. He wants the group to build on the ability to respond it showed in September.

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“When you have that ability to respond, you’re able to push your boundaries a bit further, so you’re able to take a little more risk in games,” he said.

There will be high risk but could be high reward if Canada really goes after it in this second window of competition. The three teams it faces next are ranked higher cumulatively than the last three Canada faced. Mexico tops the current standings. Jamaica is expected to be a much-improved side in this window after being the country hit hardest by COVID-19 travel restrictions in September. Panama is tied with Canada in the standings, and the Canadians won’t want to drop any more points in home matches.

All present significant challenges, as well as opportunity. If Herdman is deterred by the tough task at hand, he’s not showing it.

“A lot to think about but embracing it and knowing that other teams are having to think about similar things.”　　

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy