VANCOUVER

Canada cleared its first major World Cup qualifying hurdle Friday night in Vancouver with a professional 1-0 win over Honduras, moving it atop Group A with Mexico, which crushed El Salvador 3-0 at the Azteca.

The win bought back belief from fans who’ve long written off Canada’s men following decades of failure.

Based on Friday’s fourth-round opener it appears this Canadian team has bought in defensively. Les Rouges stayed compact in head coach Benito Floro’s 4-1-4-1 en route to collecting an impressive clean sheet.

The Hondurans — likely vying with Canada for second in the group behind Mexico — couldn’t find a way through as the veteran midfield trio of Will Johnson, Julian de Guzman and Atiba Hutchinson clogged things up in front of the back four.

Most noteworthy was undoubtedly the play of Junior Hoilett, who in his first World Cup qualifier produced the biggest moment of the game.

Hoilett’s pace allowed him to provide service from the left side that Johnson finished off at the back post before halftime.

For a side lacking attacking talent, it appears Hoilett gives this Canadian side something it didn’t have during the previous World Cup cycle: A threat.

Hoilett provides a relief valve for a Canadian side that, until now, didn’t have a player capable of running at opposing defences.

He’s someone capable of providing proper service to Canada’s lone striker, Cyle Larin.

The next test is whether this Canadian team can keep it together away from home.

Can they create chances in places like San Salvador?

Canada likely won’t advance unless it can pick up a minimum of two points on the road.

ON THE ITINERARY

Anything goes on the road in CONCACAF.

Ahead of Canada’s second Group A World Cup qualifier Tuesday night in El Salvador, the players understand anything is possible. San Salvador isn’t as cozy as scenic Vancouver, where Les Rouges hosted Honduras in their fourth-round opener Friday night.

They won’t be able to walk the streets freely following their arrival in Central America on Sunday.

Here’s the likely itinerary: Airport. Hotel. Stadium for Monday training. Back to the hotel. Stadium. Hotel. Home.

Canada’s hotel will more or less become a compound.

“We’ve talked to some of the younger boys about it,” Canadian defender David Edgar told the Toronto Sun. “From the moment you get off the plane they make it a difficult place to be and intimidating.

“You’ve got to focus and prepare the right way because you can’t do anything about everything else around you.”

Around a dozen players in this Canadian men’s team have experienced it before.

They were in Panama City three years ago when fans held a rave outside their hotel during 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Not only did they party, they shot explosives at the Canadians’ hotel.

They set up speakers normally reserved for rock concerts.

“The fans outside in Panama were a perfect example of the way they try to get in your head,” Edgar said of playing in Central America. “We just need to stay focused and do the right things.”

Discipline, as always, appears to be the theme.

In the opposite locker room, though, things are in complete chaos. A number of Salvadoran players are striking over pay and working conditions.

“I’ve heard bits and pieces about it,” Edgar said of El Salvador’s turmoil. “You never know what the case is. It could probably be resolved (before our game) so you never know.

“We’ve just got to play what’s in front of us and prepare the right way.”

REDS HELP YANKS

Toronto FC’s Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore helped the U.S. get off to a flying start in in Group C action.

The Yanks, who trailed St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1-0 minutes in at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, overcame an early scare to thrash the islanders 6-1.

Bradley set up Bobby Wood’s equalizer midway through the first half before Altidore drew a free kick that Fabian Johnson converted minutes later.

Altidore added goals on both sides of halftime as the embattled Americans continue to pick up the pieces following a disappointing summer.

U.S. bench boss Jurgen Klinsmann also provided standout MLSers Darlington Nagbe (Portland) and Matt Miazga (New York) their first caps.

They’ll play in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday night.

COPA CITIES REVEALED

The United States hasn’t hosted a tournament this big since the 1994 World Cup.

And now we know at least 10 of the cities that will host next summer’s Copa America Centenario.

ESPN’s Doug McIntyre reported Friday that East Rutherford, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will host the final of next summer’s massive tournament.

The Rose Bowl, located in Pasadena, Calif., will likely host a semifinal, according to McIntyre.

The additional eight venues will be Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Seattle’s CenturyLink Field, Houston’s Reliant Stadium, Chicago’s Soldier Field, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Canada, of course, came up short in its bid to earn a Centenario berth with its lacklustre showing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Canadians, who picked up a pair of draws in three Gold Cup group games this past summer, needed just one more point to jump ahead of Cuba for a spot in the Centenario playoffs.

The U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica already have qualified for the Centenario, which also includes the entire South American confederation.

There are two spots remaining in the 16-team tournament.

Panama will host Cuba in a one-off playoff for one berth.

Trinidad and Tobago will meet Haiti for the other.