TORONTO

Strange things happen in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

Just two years ago, Mexico — after finishing fourth in 2014 World Cup qualifying — needed a playoff against New Zealand to qualify for Brazil 2014.

It’s not that El Tri were the fourth-best team in CONCACAF. Quite the opposite, actually.

But that’s what happens in World Cup qualifying — the inexplicable.

And that, Canada fans, is why Les Rouges has a chance to pick up at least a point Friday night at BC Place.

Heck, it wouldn’t be all that shocking if they picked up a win.

Here’s our top five reasons why that’s a possibility.

CANADA STAYING STINGY

Under head coach Benito Floro, the Canadians have conceded just once — in a 1-1 draw with Belize — in their previous six World Cup qualifiers. In a word, they’ve been stingy and it has everything to do with the way Canada’s Spanish bench boss has them playing.

Floro’s 4-1-4-1 system has been nearly impossible to break down.

And before you bring up Canada’s lack of opposition, check out these facts:

— The Canadians haven’t conceded more than a single goal in any game since the start of 2015. That includes results against El Salvador, Costa Rica, Ghana and Honduras — three World Cup teams.

— The triangular central midfield trio of Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson and Julian de Guzman has been fantastic since then.

— De Guzman and Johnson have worked to clean up everything in front of Hutchinson, who pulls the strings when Canada looks to counter-attack.

— Look for Canada’s experience in midfield to disrupt Mexico’s attempts to possess through the middle of the field.

ATTACK NO LONGER LIMPING

Let’s not get carried away: This Canadian side isn’t jam-packed with talented attackers, capable of breaking open games.

Les Rouges hasn’t shown an ability to score consistently against teams outside of the Caribbean minnows they’ve dominated.

That said, they have show an ability to score — which is more than could be said a few years ago.

Big-body Cyle Larin gives the club a chance to score whenever a ball is played into the box while Junior Hoilett provides skill sets — pace, power and quality on the ball — that Canada hasn’t had in years.

Will Canada create a dozen chances on Friday night? No.

But it could create a half-dozen. And that’s enough to score at least one.

CANADA BECOMING TRENDY?

For years, Canada has been known as the country footballers abandon for better things.

Calgary’s Oven Hargreaves to England.

Toronto’s Jonathan de Guzman to the Netherlands.

Edmonton’s Asmir Begovic to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Supporters complained endlessly.

Over the previous 12 months, however, four important players have elected to join the Canadian team.

Centreback Steven Vitoria (eligible for Portugal) has bolstered Canada’s defence while Junior Hoilett (eligible for Jamaica) has added attack flair.

Midfielder Scott Arfield and defender Fraser Aird (both eligible for Scotland) have also joined the fold.

Canada, the trendy place to play.

BC PLACE WILL BE BUSTLING

The Canadian men’s national team isn’t used to playing in front of capacity crowds.

There hasn’t been anything to get this excited about for decades.

Now, with Les Rouges on the brink of qualifying for CONCACAF’s final round for the first time since 1998, fans are paying attention.

The embarrassment of the Horror in Honduras is beginning to dissipate.

Beyond the 50,000-plus expected to attend Friday night’s fixture, the fact Canada is forcing Mexico to play on carpet — err, artificial turf — could have an impact on the game. There’s no question the Mexicans would be far more comfortable on grass.

Furthermore, with temperatures dipping down below 4C Friday night, it will be interested to see if the roof at BC Place is open.

The Canadian Soccer Association requested it to be open late last year during Canada’s 1-0 win over Honudras, leaving the Central Americans quite chilly.

HISTORY’S ON CANADA’S SIDE

The Mexicans have played in Canada seven times since 1972, winning just one of those meetings.

This isn’t a Canadian trend, either. El Tri has won just two of its previous six World Cup qualifiers on the road in CONCACAF.

The region’s best team plays with decidedly different flair and confidence when it’s away from Azteca Stadium.

How many times have we seen the United States take care of Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium?

History is on Canada’s side. They’ve played Mexico close — and even beaten them — on a number of occasions in the Great White North.

Why will Friday night be any different?