Canada closed out a two-match international homestand with a 2:1 victory over Honduras on Tuesday night in Montréal. The victory was played in front of 7,525 fans at Stade Saputo - the largest crowd for a Men's International Friendly match in Montréal.

Canada's two-match international series was part of its early preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Around the world, some 67 international matches were played by national "A" squads in the five-day period from 3-7 September. Canada lost 0:2 to Peru in Toronto on 4 September. Canada's next match on the FIFA International schedule is 8 October against Ukraine in Kyev.

At BMO Field in Toronto, there were 10,619 fans on Saturday 4 September, the highest total for a Men's International Friendly match in Canada in 13 years (incidentally, the highest since Paul Stalteri's debut back on 17 August 1997). In fact, the Toronto 4 September attendance was greater than 16 of the 22 European Qualification attendances one night earlier on 3 September.

From a historical perspective, since 2008, Canada's average attendance for six home men's matches (Qualifier and Friendly matches) is 13,017. By comparison, its average attendance in 14 previous home men's matches from 2000 to 2007 was 8,199. This reflects more than a 50% increase in average attendance for Canadian home matches.

"There is a desire for Canada to do everything it can to reach the FIFA World Cup™," said national head coach Stephen Hart. "We have asked the Association to provide us with these matches and they have put their best foot forward. The fans now have to do their part to support us to get there."

This summer, an Ipsos Reid study found that 78% of Canadians felt that it is important for Canada to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. Further to this, the poll found that 86% of Canadians - regardless of their family heritage - would cheer for Canada first.

The next round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™ is expected to begin in 2012. Before that, there is the biennial CONCACAF Gold Cup which runs 5-25 June 2011. The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup serves as the qualification route for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.

Coach Hart hopes to line up as many matches as possible on the available FIFA International Dates. He would also like to continue to play against high-quality teams that will provide a test for the Canadian team before the competitive matches start to count in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Already this year, Canada has played against three South American nations - Peru, Venezuela and two-time FIFA World Cup™ champion Argentina. The team has also played two CONCACAF nations: Jamaica and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ participant Honduras.

Canada's national team features elite athletes from professional clubs in North America and Europe. This season, coach Hart has featured 43 different players in his first year en route to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Coach Hart hopes to rely on two to three players per position and that each of his players are playing on a regular basis with their professional clubs.

A late first-half header from Canada's Kevin McKenna secured a 2:1 victory over CONCACAF rivals Honduras in Montréal on Tuesday 7 September. The match was played in front of 7,525 fans at Stade Saputo.

McKenna’s goal came just before halftime, breaking a 1-1 tie after Josh Simpson opened the scoring 30 minutes into this Men's International Friendly match and Erick Norales equalised for Honduras five minutes later.

The victory came nearly two years to the day after a 1:2 loss to Honduras at Stade Saputo. Canada also avenged an 0:1 loss to Honduras in last year's quarter-final stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada and Honduras have a long-standing rivalry as CONCACAF nations.

The match underwent a lengthy delay in the second half due to lightning in the area. After a 15-minute suspension with eight minutes to play, Canada was able to come out and secure another victory under head coach Stephen Hart.

For this fixture against the No. 46th-ranked Central Americans, Hart had to deal with the departure of injured Marcel de Jong and MLS players Julian de Guzman, Dwayne De Rosario and Nana Attaka who joined Toronto FC in advance of a Wednesday league fixture. As such, he called in midfielder Terry Dunfield for the Montréal match.

Hart began the game with a 4-3-3 formation with 19-year-old Adam Straith playing at right back and captain Paul Stalteri on the left and McKenna and Dejan Jakovic in the centre of defence. With his start, Stalteri established a new mark for appearances with Canada's national team. The defender and long-time captain made his 83rd appearance, breaking the former record established by defender Randy Samuel in 1997.

Across the midfield Hart went with Will Johnson, Dunfield and Patrice Bernier. Up front, Simeon Jackson and Simpson supported striker Rob Friend. Lars Hirschfeld was once again in goal as he was in the 2-0 loss to Peru in Toronto on Saturday.

Canada’s long-awaited second goal in eight matches was the result of a goalmouth scramble that led to the home side taking the lead. Midfielder Simpson finally scrambled the ball over the line after his own strike was saved by Noel Valladares and follow-up attempts from Johnson and Friend proved unsuccessful. Simpson was able to bundle the ball into the Honduras goal with his upper body after Friend bravely challenged for the ball with his head in the six-yard box.

Honduras was very patient when in possession of the ball and was able to draw a number of free kicks with their build-up play. An undisciplined challenge from Dunfield in the 34th minute led to his first yellow card for the senior team, but more importantly to Honduras’ equaliser. A well-rehearsed free kick from Mario Martínez finished with a glancing header from Norales that left Hirschfeld grasping for air and the score 1-1.

Eight minutes later, McKenna proved his aerial ability on the international stage once again. Normally found winning balls in the air in the defensive end of the field, he is also well known for his involvement in Canada’s attack, especially on set pieces. He proved his worth once again in the 42nd minute when he worked his way into a far-post position to nod in a Johnson corner. It was McKenna’s 10th goal for the men’s national team.

The second half saw a Canadian side full of confidence. McKenna was making runs from his centre-back position deep into the Honduras half.

Jackson was taking defenders on one-on-one. Friend was using his size to hold onto the ball and keep possession. Hirschfeld, meanwhile, was able to clear danger when required to hold onto the one-goal advantage.

Canada looked likely to increase its lead but the skies opened and brought monsoon-like conditions to the field of play that led to the 30-minute delay. After the brief respite, the home side was able to snuff out any attempts at a Honduras comeback.

Paul Stalteri has established a new mark for appearances with Canada's national team. The defender and long-time captain made his 83rd appearance on Tuesday 7 September, breaking the former record established by defender Randy Samuel in 1997. Stalteri established the record in the Men's International Friendly match against Honduras at Stade Saputo in Montréal.

Prior to the match, Canadian Soccer Association president Dr. Dominic Maestracci met Stalteri on the pitch to congratulate him on the achievement. Dr. Maestracci presented Mr. Stalteri with a commemorative trophy that recognized the milestone.

Stalteri made his debut as a teenager on 17 August 1997 at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, ON. He played in the second half of an 0:1 loss to Iran. Canadian head coach Bob Lenarduzzi called Stalteri into the match, replacing starter Mauro Biello right after the half time break. Nine months later, Stalteri made his second appearance on 18 May 1998, this time as a starter up front on the attack of a 1:0 victory over FYR Macedonia.

Since 1997, Stalteri has played in one FIFA Confederations Cup (three games in 2001), three cycles of FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers (16 matches), and five CONCACAF Gold Cups (20 games). He has scored seven times, including one goal in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He helped Canada win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup Japan/Korea 2001.

Stalteri already held the record for most career starts and most minutes played, establishing both records in 2009. He led the national team in goals scored in 2003 (three) and then in minutes played in 2007 (889) and 2008 (939). He has served as captain 30 times since 25 March 2007.

Before Stalteri's career with the full national team, Stalteri represented Canada at both the FIFA U-17 World Cup Japan 1993 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Malaysia 1997. He helped Canada win the 1996 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship in Mexico. Including all matches at the full national, U-23, U-20 and U-17 levels, Stalteri has worn Canada's colours for 102 international matches.

As for Randy Samuel, he made 82 appearances from 1983 to 1997. He took part in one FIFA World Cup™ (three matches in 1986), four cycles of FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers (36 matches), and two CONCACAF Gold Cups (five matches). Incidentally, he made his last appearance on 12 October 1997, two months after Stalteri made his debut.

Canada will face CONCACAF rival Honduras at home on Tuesday 7 September at Stade Saputo in Montréal, QC. The Men's International Friendly match will kick off at 19.30 ET and will be broadcast live from coast to coast on Rogers Sportsnet (all four channels). Tickets to the match are available via Admission at ADMISSION.com / 514.790.1245.

Over this five-day period on the FIFA International schedule from 3-7 September, there are 67 international matches taking place around the world. On 4 September, Canada lost 0:2 to Peru while Honduras drew 2:2 with El Salvador.

"We had some good moments against Peru when we did dominate, but perhaps we were just missing that final pass," said Canadian head coach Stephen Hart. "We will build on that as we play more matches."

So far this year, coach Hart has featured 43 players, perhaps more than expected because he added matches outside the schedule of FIFA International Dates (one of which was against two-time FIFA World Cup™ champion Argentina). Canada is at the start of a new cycle working towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

Canada last played Honduras in the quarter-final stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada previously played Honduras in Montréal in September 2008 as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Qualifiers. Honduras went on to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ South Africa, bowing out in the group phase.

"They are going to come and play," said midfielder Iain Hume. "We owe them one as we let one get away from us the last time they played here (in Montréal - a 1:2 loss)."

Honduras is under the direction of a new head coach - Juan Castillo from Mexico. For this first camp, coach Castillo has called seven players from the Honduras squad that traveled to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ South Africa. Eighteen of his selections were called from eight different professional clubs in the Honduran national league.

Canada, meanwhile, has 17 players in uniform for the 7 September match. Twelve of those 17 players featured in the 4 September match against Peru while the other five hope to feature against Honduras (including Terry Dunfield who was just called after the Saturday match). Also of note, right back Paul Stalteri is hoping to make his 83rd appearance on 7 September, an appearance that would break the national record established by Randy Samuel in 1997.