On Friday, for the first time in eight years, the Canadian soccer team advanced to the knockout stages of the Gold Cup after drawing Honduras 0-0 in Frisco.

In September of 2016, the team was knocked out of World Cup qualification, finishing third in the fourth round group that consisted of Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. Head coach Benito Floro was sacked and Canadians were left watching World Cup qualifiers on television.

Octavio Zambrano was brought in March, with an aim to improve the national team for the 2022 World Cup, which is currently scheduled to be played in Qatar. Zambrano has not lost a game since taking over the Canadian post, earning a 2-3-0 record in his games played.

But it is more than just his record that has impressed in his short time with the team.

The last two performances in Gold Cup play against Costa Rica and Honduras showed a team that was competitive and on level playing field with two of the better sides in the region. A team that was confident and truly believed that they were better than their recent qualification success. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan made save after save late, withstanding the Honduran pressure led by the lethal Alberth Elis, who was causing havoc on the defense. Toronto FC player Jonathan Osorio almost gave Canada the lead late, curling a shot that looked destined for goal, but was saved by keeper Luis Lopez.

“I have seen improvement,” Zambrano said after the match. “The most important thing I have seen was that the players are beginning to get empowered by knowing that they can play against anybody on equal terms.”

In 2009, Canada advanced to the knockout stages of the Gold Cup. They fell to Honduras 1-0 in the quarterfinal after topping their group. This year, they advanced without the services of Cyle Larin, who has eight goals for Orlando City this season. Larin was not put on the team for the group stages after being arrested for a DUI on June 15. He was named specifically by Zambrano as a potential call-up for the knockout stages.

“I think Cyle Larin would be a great addition to this squad,” Zambrano said.

It has been a while, but Canadian soccer fans can finally find hope in their roster. Alphonso Davies, the 16-year-old, had two goals and some good minutes in the group stage. Scott Arfield put on good performances, playing a box to box role for the side. Junior Hoilett looked dangerous, darting past Honduran defenders and lofting dangerous balls into the box.

The Canadian team did not look to bunker down and settle for a draw. They came for a win.

“[The team] has developed brilliantly,” Davies said. “Coach has really taken a hold of this team, really pushing to make it past. We’re glad that we made it past [the group stage].”

Canada last qualified for a World Cup in 1986, where they lost all three games in Mexico. They have fallen so far ever since. But there is a new wave of soccer in Canada. The Eastern Conference Final last season consisted of Montreal and Toronto and was one of the most exciting two legged matches I had seen. The Canadian Premier League is set to begin in 2018, providing a professional soccer league for the country. The emergence of Larin and Davies in MLS has given hope to a country that has achieved so little soccer wise in the recent years.

The new era of Canada soccer might just be the one to get the country back on the soccer map.