Coach Herdman preaches fearlessness as Canada prepares for key World Cup qualifiers

Historically, trips to Central America have not gone so well for the Canadian men's soccer team, while wins against the United States have been few and far between. 

Nearly a decade ago, Canada's World Cup qualifying hopes spectacularly came to an end in an infamous 8-1 loss in Honduras, while the Reds once went more than 34 years without a victory against the Americans. 

How things have changed.  

As the region's only unbeaten team in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying (four wins in eight matches), Canada heads into this week's international window in the pole position. But daunting trips to Honduras (Thursday) and El Salvador (Feb. 2), and a game vs. the U.S. (Jan. 30) at Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field looms exceedingly large, and could go a very long way in determining the Canadian team's fate. 

Canada tops the current CONCACAF table with 16 points with six games remaining. The U.S. is in second place, one point behind the leaders. Mexico and Panama (tied for third) are two points adrift of Canada. Costa Rica (nine points), Jamaica (seven), El Salvador (six) and Honduras (three) round out the standings.

The top three nations at the end of the 14-match group stage, which concludes in March, automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

"We're in a great position just past the halfway mark in this stage," Canadian winger Junior Hoilett said. "We just have to stick to what we've been doing in our previous games. I don't think we should let off; we should stay humble and keep pushing our limits.  

"We can always improve in certain aspects of our game to get the maximum points in each game. So, I think we just have to remain humble and stick to the game plan and that will get us through these