CREDIT: REUTERS
Dwayne De Rosario's goal put Canada even closer to a World Cup spot.

The Canadian win against Panama on September 7 was a great game as the Canucks were able to sneak one by the comeback kids of Panama. However, it was a different story in Panama.

The Canadians played a very effective 4-3-3 in the first game in Toronto. With Simeon Jackson and Dwayne De Rosario on both wings, it really played to both of their strengths. Neither of them are really strong attackers as it is, and some of the best attacking moves this campaign have been started by DeRo cutting through down low (see the Canada vs. U.S. centennial game), while Jackson has proved to have a fantastic touch and a great awareness to create plays for other attackers. However, Olivier Occéan played in the middle and gave a really subpar performance. He has showed up for Canada before but he really failed at being a middle lynchpin in attack.

Atiba Hutchinson was the best player of the game and led the midfield with very dynamic runs and creative balls. The other two midfielders, Will Johnson and Julian De Guzman, are both of a solid quality. Canada is very shallow in the midfield in terms of depth, so a three-man midfield works well in that regard. Besides, if Terry Dunfield got out there, I would get sick. But congratulations to him for getting the call up based on work ethic. A for effort.

The defenders did well for most parts of the game. They seemed shaky at the start of the second half, but they shored up all of their problems they were having as the half progressed, which is the best sign, as the defenders are showing improvement as they work together more. André Hainault had a great game at the back, as well as Kevin McKenna, who came close to scoring on a few headers. Ante Jazic and David Edgar also came through with great performances in the back.

Unfortunately, the game in Panama on September 11 was an entirely different story. The team lost leading scorer Dwayne De Rosario early in the game, so the team needed to switch to a 4-5-1 instead of a 4-4-2. Tosaint Ricketts was put upfront by himself with almost no support. Canada looked weak and unable to create anything. Blas Pérez came through for Panama with a great game. The match ended with a 2-0 win for the Panamanians.

This result puts Canada on the outside looking in. The top two teams advance to the final stage in qualifying and the Canadians are tucked in behind Honduras only on goal difference. Luckily, Cuba has no points and they are already eliminated.

The Canucks have two massive fixtures in October: Cuba at home, and then Honduras away. If Canada matches Honduras' result in the next round, Canada will most likely have to beat Honduras at home. The country is considered one of the hardest places to play in North America. Canada has a lot to do now, and they can only blame themselves.