Thirty years ago today, the Canadian senior men's national team beat Honduras 2-1 to qualifiy for the country's first – and to date, only – FIFA World Cup.
Tony Waiters, who led the old Vancouver Whitecaps to their historic 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl title, was the head coach of that team. And a number of former 'Caps were in the starting lineup, including current Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi (hear his thoughts here) and fellow Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour inductee Carl Valentine.
Valentine, who had become a Canadian citizen the year before while playing for Vancouver, wasn’t involved in any of Canada’s previous qualification matches. He suspects it was because he had turned down the opportunity to represent Canada at the 1984 Olympics – a “missed opportunity,” he called it.
At any rate, Valentine got the call for Canada’s final World Cup qualification match and he wasn’t going to miss it – even if his stomach wasn’t exactly co-operating.
“I had whatever kind of flu,” Valentine told whitecapsfc.com. “Needless to say, it wasn't pretty. I travelled in a week before and the guys had gone through all the qualifying, done all the hard work and grinded out some great results. I felt a little apprehensive coming in for the last game. And then I get there and I’m sick and I think I’m going to miss out so that was a little bit hairy.”
The hairiness would soon subside.
Not only did Valentine end up playing, he also assisted on both of Canada’s goals with a pair of corner kicks in the historic 2-1 victory. It remains one of the biggest highlights of Valentine’s career, and the greatest moment in Canadian soccer history.
Canada Soccer will be making an announcement later today regarding Canada's World Cup qualifier vs. Honduras in November. Stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com for complete coverage.
It’s now easier than ever to be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver. Get 2016 Season Tickets for as little as $35/month all in.
