Canada Looks to Reverse Central American horror of the Past

After Canada's 1-0 win over Central American rival Honduras, Canada presents itself with a great opportunity to take the next step in qualifying if a result in San Salvador El Salvador.

Canada has had a hec of a time in Central America the last 20 years on the road in World Cup Qualifying at this stage and beyond. They have a 2W-3D-13L record and have failed to collect points at crucial points in qualifying in the past.

Canada will enter a hostile environment tomorrow and likely will have begin tonight. In the past, Canada has be distracted by locals making noise outside the teams hotel in hopes of making sure the Canadian players won't get a good nights sleep.

This is pretty normal in Central America. Citizens of these Central American countries will go to all costs to try to win. In the last cycle, Panama City locals made sure Canada was stuck on the bus when they were on their way to a practice. You mane it, these Central American fans are going to hope Canada has a nightmarish type time before and during the game. I heard a story a few Years ago where El Salvador fans will throw bags of pee at Canadian players during the game.

In CONCACAF fashion, referees don't do anything about it. In fact, because of these antics, El Salvador is going to get every borderline call. If there is a chance for a Canadian player to get a yellow or red card, its going to happen.

In Central America at this stage in the last 18 years, Canada is 1-2-6 in Central America at this stage and beyond. Fortunately for Canada, that one win came in November.

Canada got a dream start to the 4th round of qualifying on Friday night. They were able to keep a clean sheet and was also able to score a goal. In typical Canadian fashion, the goal just snuck over the goal line for the goal originally credited to Will Johnson. In typically hockey fashion, the goal was later changed to Cyle Larin as the shot deflected off of his back before narrowly crossing the line.

In contrast, El Salvador has had a terrible start to qualifying. They played Mexico in Mexico City on Friday evening and lost 3-0. Therefore, if El Salvador is going to make it to the final group of
qualifying, this game is a must win.

Despite the good start for the Canadians. They are still a long way from qualifying for Russia 2018.   Tonight's game is going to be crazy because it is a huge swing in Canada's chances to qualify out of this group. History tells us that Canada is in a bumpy road tonight in El Salvador. But as we witnessed on Friday night, history doesn't always go the course. El Salvador is having their own problems right now. In other words, this could be a perfect chance to get a rare win down in El Salvador.

Buckle up Canadians, what happens mainly tonight in El Salvador and next September in Honduras will go a long way in determining whether or not Canada moves on to the next phase of qualifying.