Canadian fans have been waiting patiently for over 20 years to match their high-water mark in world football. Unfortunately, since qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Mexico in 1986, the side have failed to come close to recreating that dazzling success save for the surprise 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup title they managed to win.

After hammering St Vincent and the Grenadines over two legs, Dale Mitchell's men were hoping for the best in a semi-final Group 2 alongside such heavyweights as Mexico, Honduras and Jamaica. In the end, though, the side's enthusiasm and raft of overseas stars could not find a way to match their superior opposition. They picked up just two points in their six matches, including an impressive 2-2 draw with Mexico, and were knocked out of contention for a place in South Africa in 2010.