Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

October 9, 2015 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Canadian Men's National Team will take on Honduras in the 4th round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on Friday, November 13 at BC Place in Vancouver. Canada will also face Group A competition from Mexico and El Salvador. The top two teams in Group A, B, and C advance to the dreaded hex next fall.



It's imperative that Canada gets off to a good start against Honduras. Any type of early stumble could loom large as fixtures against a high-powered Mexico side loom next spring. One particular player who could help Canada get off to a great start is 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele.



The 23 year-old FC Dallas striker is looking forward to playing in Vancouver, a city that hasn't watched the Canada men's team play since July 2, 2005.



"It's going to be really exciting. I think it's going to give a chance for the west coast fans to see the team which they don't get to do often. Obviously we've always played in Toronto, so I think it's good for the fan base and good for the team."



Come out & support #canMNT on the road to 2018 @FIFAWorldCup Russia on Friday Nov 13 @BCplace. Ticket info on http://t.co/HBTnixg2jR — Tesho Akindele (@Tesho13) September 15, 2015 Canada's only appearance at a World Cup came in 1986 in Mexico. It's been far too long since Canada played on the biggest football stage. Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be a daunting challenge for the red and white. Among the four Group A teams, Canada is ranked last sitting at 104th in the latest FIFA rankings.



It's a challenging group for sure, but that doesn't bother Akindele.



"We just have to believe in ourselves, obviously it's a tough group, but so are the other two groups. I don't think we have it any harder than anybody else."



Canada has posted a 5-4-2 record in 2015 and seem to be making positive strides under Coach Benito Floro. Small strides, but positive steps along the way as players mesh and come together on the pitch. Canada played El Salvador to a 0-0 draw in Gold Cup action this summer. Akindele played 90' minutes in that match and believes Canada is making progress with a great future going forward.



"I think there's a lot of good players right now, there's a lot of good young players. Cyle Larin for example is going to be the (MLS) rookie of the year. Russell Teibert out here, we just have so many good young players and I think people are seeing that. We see a bright future with the team."



That bright future includes Tesho Akindele. However, at this point last year it was uncertain if he would represent Canada. Akindele was born in Calgary, Alberta to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. At the age of eight his family moved to Colorado. Akindele holds dual citizenship and could have played for the U.S. In the end he decided to represent his country of birth, but it was no easy decision.



"I just kind of went with my gut, I was walking back and forth and got lots of advice from different people, but at the end of the day I went with my gut."



In five matches for Canada the avid Colorado Avalanche hockey fan has earned himself four starts. His first Canada national team goal came on June 16, 2015 vs Dominca in a World Cup qualifier. Coach Floro has played Akindele in the midfield and on the wing. That suits him just fine as long as he gets to play.



"I want to help score goals if I can. Play up top, play out wide, wherever they need me. I want to be a member of the team."



Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is one of the most uncomfortable places an opposing football player can play in. Akindele has talked to some of his FC Dallas teammates about that experience and what to expect on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 when Canada plays in one of the most famous football stadiums.



"They told me about it and they said, it's crazy, like you can't even imagine what it's like until you’re there. I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be maybe a little nerve-racking at first, but once you play the game it'll all be fun."



The fun will have to wait for now as Canada prepares to play Honduras next month. Canada must throw everything they can at Honduras or those games against Mexico in late March might not matter very much.



