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Well this bizarre version of Olympic qualifying reaches it’s conclusion tonight as two teams will earn their tickets to China and two teams will come up one step short. In the opener, Honduras will face Guatemala and the second game will pit the U.S. and Canada against one another.

I don’t like winner take all single matches for qualification, but it is what it is and it should be two very tense affairs. All four of these teams would view going to the Olympics as unbelievably important and a bit of a mini-World Cup.

Handicapping things, the first match is probably a toss-up. Historically Honduras as been a little bit more competitive than Guatemala, but that’s lessened in recent years and Guatemala certainly impressed by beating Mexico. The second match the U.S. would have to be favored. They not only would seem to have the stronger roster, but also were able to rest many key players in their final match and are playing inside their own country. But Canada certainly has the ability for the upset, and an upset wouldn’t be a monumental one in any case.