MEXICO (2-0-0) AT CANADA (1-0-1), 7 P.M.

Venue: B.C. Place

TV: TSN2

Radio: TSN 1410

Mobile: Bell

Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis)

The setup:

Close to 55,000 fans are expected at B.C. Place, which would set a record for a national team game in this country. Mexico can clinch a spot in the Hex — the next round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying — with a win. Canada can lift their hopes with even a tie — and win over a ton of fans in the process.

Canada’s campaign:

Beat Honduras 1-0 at B.C. Place in November with Cyle Larin scoring off his back from a Will Johnson header. Newcomer Junior Hoilett played a key role on the goal, too. Atiba Hutchinson was outstanding in midfield. Canada then played El Salvador to a scoreless away tie.

Mexico’s campaign:

FIFA’s 22nd-ranked nation opened this round of qualifying with a pair of easy wins in November. El Tri beat an undermanned El Salvador 3-0 at home, then went to San Pedro Sula and defeated Honduras 2-0 away.

Canada head coach Benito Floro (left) listens to Mexico's Juan Carlos Osorio answera a question, as their teams get set to square off this Friday in front of a huge crowd. (Mark van Manen/PNG)

Three things to watch

He starred for Real Madrid. Now he's a star in Germany. Will Mexican striker Javier Hernandez star on the pitch at BC Place, or will Benito Floro's back line keep him contained? (AP Photo/Paul White)

1. Canada’s back line

Benito Floro has made defending the priority for Canada since he took over, even as they’ve added more attacking talent. That focus has never been more important than Friday. Mexico has multiple weapons, including Javier Hernandez, who is the fourth-top scorer in the Bundesliga with 14 goals for Bayer Leverkusen. Floro’s decisions on his back four, and his keeper, will be crucial ones. Victoria-raised centre-back Adam Straith has been one of his most-trusted players to date.

Canada's Atiba Hutchinson, left, vies for the ball with El Salvador's Pablo Punyed during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in November (AP file phot0

2. Hutchinson’s influence

Vancouver fans got to see in November what people who follow this team religiously have known for a long time: Atiba Hutchinson is a wonderful player, perhaps the best this country’s ever had. He won’t see nearly as much of the ball against Mexico as he did against Honduras, but the Besiktas midfielder remains the leader and engine of this team at 33. He gets the job done at both ends of the field and will have to be a calming influence for Canada in this one.

Scott Arfield (centre, in yellow bib) takes control of the ball during a Canada practice session on Tuesday in Vancouver. (Mark van Manen/PNG)

3. Arfield’s involvement

Floro said this week he’s got a tricky decision to make with newcomer Scott Arfield, the 27-year-old Burnley winger. On one hand, he’s arrived in great form for a club that’s raced to the top of the English Championship standings. On the other, he’s not had much time to learn Floro’s system or get used to his teammates. Here’s betting Floro was being crafty with the media. Why wouldn’t he start a player who’s flying right now? Surely the potential reward outweighs the risk.





Canada vs. Mexico history

• All-time, Canada is 3-16-7 against Mexico;

• Canada’s wins were in 1976 at Empire Stadium (1-0), 1990 at Swangard Stadium (2-1), and 2000 in San Diego (2-0);

• Canada has tied its last three home meetings with Mexico: 1997 at Commonwealth Stadium (2-2), 2000 at Varsity Stadium (0-0) and 2008 at Commonwealth Stadium (2-2);

• The last meeting between these countries was 2013 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, a 2-0 win for Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup;

• Looking ahead to Tuesday’s rematch, Canada is 0-5-1 at Azteca Stadium, where they’ve been outscored 21-2.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification





CONCACAF Fourth Round

Position W-L-D GF GA Pts

1. Mexico 2-1-1 5 0 6

2. Canada 1-0-1 1 0 4

3. El Salvador 0-1-1 0 3 1

4. Honduras 0-2-0 0 3 0

March 29 El Salvador at Honduras

Canada at Mexico

Sept. 2 Canada at Honduras

Mexico at El Salvador

Sept. 6 El Salvador at Canada

Honduras at Mexico

Top two advance to the Hex … First tiebreaker is goal difference.

mweber@postmedia.com

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