Over the last year of Canada's preparation for the Gold Cup and ensuing World Cup Qualifying, there has been a steady increase in the level of competition. With a mix of South American and European friendlies, Canada has put themselves in tough situations against strong opponents employing some of the best attacking players in the world.

Just over a year ago Canada would have faced the power that is Argentina, followed by Venezuela, Peru, Honduras, Ukraine, Greece and Belarus. Aside from Argentina whose depth is well known, each of these sides had only one or two names that stood out as top level talent.

On Wednesday night against Ecuador, Canada will be given a stern test against an underrated footballing nation that is looking to reclaim their place in the ranks after consecutive World Cup appearances in 2002 and 2006. While Ecuador might only have one household name in Antonio Valencia of Manchester United, their attack rounded out by Christian Benitez of Mexico's Club América and Christian Noboa of Russia's Rubin Kazan, who will present the most potent group of attackers Canada has faced since Buenos Aires last May 24.

Ecuador is in the midst of three friendlies in North America against Mexico, Canada and Greece. On May 28th in Seattle, they drew Mexico 1-1 in a tightly contested affair that was missing top players for each side. The South American's did have the services of Christian Benitez, but with Valencia competing in the Champion's League Final and Noboa getting in a league match for Rubin Kazan before a two week break, they had to make due without a pair of their best players.

Attempting to return to the form and quality that put them in back to back World Cups, Ecuador will be looking to give Valencia and Noboa minutes with Benitez to begin forming what could be one of the more formidable attacks in South America.

Antonio Valencia's background and pedigree is well known as he is the player bridging Ecuador between their last World Cup appearance in 2006 and the team being built for the future. A standout U20 player for his country, he would be signed by Spain's Villareal, but see limited time and spend the next three years out on loan. Paul Jewell of Wigan would bring him in and after two years in 2008, Jewell's successor Steve Bruce, would make his stay in England permanent.

Two strong seasons at Wigan would earn him recognition and upon the departure of Christiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, Manchester United pegged Valencia as a key player in their transition. Finishing his second year at United, where he did not make many appearances due to injury, he healed up just in time to become the first Ecuadorian to ever compete in a Champion's League Final.

Antonio Valencia highlights from the 2006 World Cup:

After Valencia, the names that make up the Ecuadorian roster become less familiar but should not be considered lesser quality. One player that has begun to emerge as a top European calibre attacker is Rubin Kazan's vice-capitan, Christian Noboa. Helping the Russian club win not only their first, but back to back Russian Premier League titles in 2008-2009, Noboa has been amoungst their top scorers and this year has so far put away four in
nine games.

Christian Noboa highlights from Ruban Kazan:

The last critical piece of Ecuador's attack is a name that might be familiar to supporters in Canada, and Montreal in particular. Impact fans will never forget the heartbreak at the hands of Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champion's League, and in particular their 5'6 mohawked striker. 25-year old Christian Benitez was a key component of the Mexican club reaching the semi-finals and after a brief loan at Birmingham City, has returned back to the league he had been able to score at a rate of better than a goal every other game, and specifically to Club América.

Christian Benitez highlights:

Ecuador have begun to see players emerge that have the quality to return them to the glory of back to back World Cup appearances. With domestic clubs like Barcelona, Deportivo Quito but especially LDU Quito making a massive impact in South American club competitions, they are beginning to show signs of being able to develop a consistent talent pool that will improve the national team.

In reality, Valencia, Noboa and Benitez are three players in their prime who will be key to their transition towards 2014 qualifying, but the pool of players has begun to greatly improve over the last four years. Felipe Caicedo, a Manchester City player, had an outstanding year on loan with Levante in Spain. Michael Arroyo put away the loan goal against Mexico on May 28th and Jaime Ayoví is producing at Mexican side Toluca. Of all these players noted, Christian Noboa is the oldest at 26 years of age.

While they have done well to demonstrate their National Team is transitioning and developing quality, three players have emerged as key to their Copa America chances and World Cup qualifying.

Canada will be witness to, and delivered the challenge of containing, three of the top attacking players they may face all year. Antonio Valencia, Christian Noboa and Christian Benitez, regardless of minutes played, will give the Reds a legitimate test that will prove beneficial as they head into the Gold Cup and continue to bank the much needed experience for the approaching World Cup qualifications.