Canada is in a very strange spot when it comes to international soccer. That is because Canada, which has been ranked outside the top 100 in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings for many years, actually leads the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Doha after nine games.
On Thursday, Canada improved to a record of five wins and four draws for 15 points. The fifth Canadian win was a 2-0 win over Honduras.
Yes, Honduras is in last place in World Cup qualifying, with a record of six losses and three draws, but could not be taken lightly. In 2012, Canada was clobbered 8-1 by Honduras in World Cup qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It was considered one of the darkest days in Canadian soccer history.
However in the last decade, Canada needs to be highly praised for the efforts that they have made to improve their national men’s program. What we saw on Thursday was a significant reward for their benefits, as Canada controlled the game from start to finish for the two-goal win. The Canadians went up 1-0 on an own goal in the 10th minute, followed by a key insurance marker by Jonathan David.
Canada has five more games left in qualifying. They play the United States, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Panama. At this time, the Canadians have a five-point lead on fourth-place Panama. The United States and Mexico are tied for second place with 13 points.
