You have to wonder, if there comes a time when the likes of Jonathan David or Cyle Larin or Lucas Cavallini threaten the all-time record for national-team goals, how much their fortunes were boosted by being part of the first-ever CONCACAF Nations League qualifying campaign. It will be almost unfair to look at their ledgers and compare them to Canadian national-team players of the past.

“It’s one of those tier-three matches that, when you frame this up for the players, it’s a different challenge than playing against a Mexico,” Herdman said in a conference call from Canada’s camp in Florida on Friday. “There’s an expectation to rack up a scoreline.”

“There are parts of this team that I’m really comfortable with and, when I look to the future and I’m projecting out four years time and we’re in a World Cup playing against tough opposition, top opposition, which of the players are going be able to cope with that level of competition?”