After returning to the World Cup in Qatar, Canada men look to win trophies this year

TORONTO –

Canada coach John Herdman says his team’s ambition is simple this year — to win trophies.

The 53rd-ranked Canadian men can take a step closer to that goal Tuesday when they host No. 81 Honduras in CONCACAF Nations League play at Toronto’s BMO Field.

 A draw or a win and Canada wins its group and advances to the tournament’s final four in June in Las Vegas, joining the other heavyweights from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Herdman’s team has already qualified for this summer’s Gold Cup, by virtue of its 2-0 win in Curacao on the weekend. That guaranteed the Canadians at least second place in the group — and a ticket to the Gold Cup.

Canada will be without suspended centre back Steve Vitoria for the Honduras showdown.

After the heat and humidity of Curacao, the Canadians were wearing layers for their early-afternoon training session Monday at BMO Field where the temperature was four degrees but felt like minus-one.