The Canadian Men's soccer team is on an incredible run of success and they will get a mental test tonight in the country that has gave them their most fits.
Sometimes in sports two rivals that have no geographical ties at all sometimes become huge rivals. For me, my favourite non geographical rivalry is the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks from 2009-2011. They met in the playoffs three straight years and Vancouver finally slayed the dragon in 2011 Game Seven.
For the Canadian Men's soccer team, Honduras and the Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula is that dragon. I believe tonight is the final hurdle. A win tonight and I have a hard time seeing them not qualifying. We have seen them go toe to toe with every other team since our resurgence.
The number I have to qualify for Qatar is 24. That's eight points in six games. Worst case I see us losing four games. So as long as we at least tie in two of those four than we should be ok. At least tie in El Salvador next Wednesday. Jamaica should be a win and everything else we need to avoid defeats.
Not having Davies will be felt more for the USA game. We have tons of speed elsewhere on the pitch for us to counter. Honduras will need a win so I expect lots of goals.
I believe 2012 was an anomaly. 2016 was more like what we are capable of. That being said, 2016 could have easily been 5-1 if it weren't for a few amazing Milan Borjan saves.
The other thing is that the previous two games were in the daytime and during the Honduras League season. This one will be at night and during most of Honduras' players off season.
We play at a pace that is special. In 2016, I don't think we were as talented. If you remember where you watched the 2012 game and 2016 game then this day is important to you. These are the days you live for as a sports fan.
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