Canada vs. Panama: The Game Thread

Here it is then, a big, big game for Canada. Actually hopefully it isn't a big game, a win here and it's just another important step towards qualification, but still with a lot to do, and setting us up for bigger, more glorious games ahead. Lose, and it will be seen as a huge result, that will leave us needing an unlikely win in either Panama or Honduras, and probably would be the one we'll look back on as the game that cost us a trip to the hex.

The usual suspects are of course a bundle of nerves, but there's more and more interest these days from casual fans, and from the generally uninterested mainstream media. A big reason for that will be at the game, the women's team that won the bronze at the olympics will be signing autographs beforehand and honoured pre game, hopefully that can fire up the crowd and inspire the men's team to keep the momentum going.

For more detailed reading, here's my preview, as well as Dave taking a look at how canada might line up, at the front and back, and James' look at Panama, and of course to steal the Yorkies joke, please rise and remove your hats for the playing of Panama national anthem.

Sportsnet One's coverage starts at 7 pm, the game kicks off at 7:30. We'll be here before then with team news and all that and updates throughout the game, so if you're not at the game, join us here.

Allez les rouges!