Canadian men face crucial week in World Cup qualifiers

Four years ago Canada's World Cup dreams evaporated in a devastating 8-1 loss under the Honduran sun. 

The coming six days presents the Canadian men's national soccer team a chance at revenge. 

On the heels of the Canadian women's captivating bronze-medal performance at the Rio Olympics, the men have a chance to continue Canada's success on the pitch by taking another step toward qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Canada has two matches left in Round 4 of qualification, starting at Estadio Olimpico in Honduras on Friday. Four days later, Canada plays its final Group A match against El Salvador at B.C. Place in Vancouver on .

Race to 'the Hex' 

Situated in Group A along with Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, Canada is in third place with four points after a win, a draw and two losses.

The top two teams in the group advance to the final round of qualification, commonly referred to as the Hexagonal Round, or just simply "the Hex." 

Honduras (1-1-2) has an identical record to Canada's, but has a better goal differential (+3), giving the small Central American nation the edge for second position in the group. 

"It's probably the biggest game since the last time we said this four years ago against Honduras so it's massive and it's just about getting the three points," defender/midfielder David Edgar said from Orlando, where the team is conducting its training camp.

"It's going to be quite similar to the last time we played them because that second spot's still up for grabs for both teams. It's going to be a vicious atmosphere but we're used to it in places like Panama and Honduras. It's just about getting our heads down and getting on with it."

A loss against Honduras wouldn't mathematically eliminate the Canadians, but it would put the squad in a very difficult position heading into the final day of Group 4 qualification.

Searching for only its second World Cup berth  — the only appearance was in 1986 in Mexico —  a win in Honduras would allow Canada to control its own destiny ahead of its final Round 4 qualification game against last-place El Salvador (0-2-2) on Sept. 6.

"It's a special game because it is an official game and it is very important for both teams towards the qualification," manager Benito Floro said in a conference call on Wednesday. "But this is a game of soccer. There are two teams, a ball, a referee and a tactical plan. The matter is to understand perfectly what to do."

No shortage of history

Undefeated Mexico (4-0-0) has already locked up top spot in Group A and El Salvador basically out of contention, Canada and Honduras are scrapping for the coveted second spot. 

Canada has no shortage of history in World Cup qualification against Honduras, most of it bad. In the past two World Cup qualifications, Canada has twice been eliminated from contention in Honduras — a 3-1 loss in 2008 and the 8-1 collapse in 2012 when a draw would have secured a spot in the Hex.

The drubbing prompted some major changes for the organization. Manager Stephen Hart resigned and Floro was brought in to replace him.

Floro has implemented new systems and with the help of new players such as Cyle Larin and Scott Arfield, Canada is back in the same position it found itself in four years ago. While the team boasts two players in midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and goalkeeper Milan Borjan who will compete in the upcoming UEFA Champions League, Canada will be without the services of injured captain Julian de Guzman.

Setback against Mexico 

Canada got off to a good start in Round 4 with a 1-0 win over Honduras on Nov. 13, 2015 in Vancouver and followed it up with a 0-0 draw on the road against El Salvador four days later. But two losses to Mexico — 3-0 on March 25 and 2-0 four days later — saw Canada drop in the group.

If Canada were to advance to the Hex, it would play a round-robin home-and-away series against Mexico and the other top two teams from Groups B and C (six teams total). The top three teams in the Hex automatically qualify for Russia 2018 while the fourth-place team would need to play a head-to-head playoff series with an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation for a final chance to qualify.