Canada's Hart resigns following World Cup qualifying exit

Stephen Hart couldn't lead Canada to its first World Cup since 1986.

Mike Cassese/Reuters

TORONTO (AP) -- Stephen Hart has resigned as Canada coach, two days after the team was eliminated from 2014 World Cup qualifying by an 8-1 thrashing in Honduras.

Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani announced Thursday that Hart had quit.

Canada needed a draw or a win to advance to next year's six-nation finals in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The defeat was Canada's heaviest since an 8-0 loss to Mexico in 1993.

Hart, a former Trinidad and Tobago international in his playing career, was hired in December 2009 after spending several years coaching Canada at youth level. Including an interim stint as national coach in 2006-07, his record with Canada was 20 wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.