Canada Can’t Trip Up Against Honduras

Canada is in a position that no one thought they could’ve been in, the past has been documented very well as the Red & White have shown decent performances and poor finishes since the 2011 Gold Cup ended with controversy in the Semi-Finals against the USA.

But something tells me that Octavio Zambrano will not allow them to put their guard down, he will not allow them to start the match in a slow and methodical state. This is Canada’s time to show their nation that they are an up and coming power and why they need to take on and take out a poor Honduras side who can’t seem to convert anything on the attack.

Alphonso Davies has already become an overnight sensation as he scored three times in two Gold Cup Games. The raw speed as well as the guile to put himself into great positions and runs to collect the ball from his teammates like Lucas Cavallini & Scott Arfield then slotting the ball home has everyone singing his praises.

But it’s not just Davies that is doing well, but Arfield has shown great poise when he is a part of the attack for Canada as he showed it in the match against French Guiana and the pass to Davies against Costa Rica. You are seeing true confidence glowing from these players who finally believe they have a purpose when they go on the pitch for their nation.

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Milan Borjan is the man who will keep that ball out, but don't be surprised if Maxime Crepeau gets a chance to play in goal if there is an injury, we all know he is the future in the net for the nation but once again needs matches as he is stuck behind Evan Bush at the Montreal Impact.

There have been many chances for Canada to try and improve themselves since that magical 2000 edition of the Gold Cup involving Craig Forest, Martin Nash and the others who defeated then Guest Team Colombia to win their first Confederation Championship.

Now I’m not saying that Canada has enough to get to the final of 2017, but you can see what Zambrano has done to put in high confidence and continued to tell his players to keep attacking and not going to a defensive shell. That’s what has been missing for a good long time and once they get the necessary result and advance to the Quarterfinals, the other seven sides are on notice and we shall see what will happen if Canada does the impossible.