The United States continues to play strong soccer as their World Cup qualifying schedule in CONCACAF continues. Currently sitting atop their group hexagonal through 5 matches, the USMNT owns a slight lead on Costa Rica, Mexico and Honduras. Back-to-back wins over Panama and Jamaica upped the US's point total to 10 but a tough test lies ahead against Honduras.
While most of the focus in the group has been on the United States, El Tri and Costa Rica, Honduras continues to keep themselves in the mix for a top 3 spot. Each of the three teams finishing in the top portion of the group will automatically qualify for the 2014 World Cup while the fourth place team will enter a playoff against New Zealand in November. Looking to add to their point total following a victory over Jamaica, Honduras now prepares for a tough United States team.
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When and Where to Watch the World Cup Qualifier
Continuing their CONCACAF requirements, the United States and Honduras will meet on Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00pm, EDT. Playing at the Rio Tinro Stadium in Sandy, Utah, television coverage will be provided by the ESPN Network.
In addition to ESPN's anchored coverage, an on-line live stream will be available through WatchESPN.
Team Preview - Honduras
Honduras currently sits in fourth place through 5 qualifying matches. An overall record of 2-1-2 helps keep Honduras in the top 4 as there is only a four-point margin separating the first place United States team and fifth place Panama, making each match moving forward increasingly vital to World Cup qualification.
While a 2-0 win over Jamaica last week was impressive considering the Honduran national team needed the 3 points to stay at least in the top 4 for the time being, consecutive losses to Panama and Costa Rica earlier in the round surely invoked some concern in fans of the team and its players given the fact that Honduras failed to score a goal in either contest while surrendering 3 to their opponents.
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Jerry Bengston - Honduras' leader in International goal scoring - will not be available for Tuesday nights crucial game against the United States after team reports confirmed that the goal-scorer was asked to leave the team. Bengston was upset over not starting in the team's win over Jamaica and his displeasure with the club led to his departing the national team before the match with the USMNT. The loss is critical for the Hondurans since Bengston has 7 goals in this qualifying schedule and 16 international goals in 33 career contests.
With Bengston not available, Carlo Costly takes over the ranks as team leader in goals with 4 during qualifying. Costly notched the game-winner in a match against the United States in February and he will certainly be needed if Honduras is to repeat their performance from 4 months ago.
Team Preview - United States
Currently pacing the CONCACAF group with 10 points thanks to a 3-1-1 record, the U.S. continues to rack up points with strong defense, timely goal-scoring and great finishing skills. Another win over Honduras - the last team to upend the U.S. in qualifying play - will all but seal the team a spot in next summer's World Cup.
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Clint Dempsey has been magnificent for team USA, notching 7 goals in a total of 11 International matches. Coupled with Jozy Altidore's clutch goal-scoring and the rising ability of Eddie Johnson, the United States is developing a formidable line of goal-scorers that will certainly be able provide opportunities moving forward in qualifying and perhaps at next year's tournament in Brazil. Even though Honduras will be without scoring threat Jerry Bengston, the team will still hold scoring capabilities through Carlo Costly and Mario Martinez. In order to hold the Honduran offense down, Michael Bradley will be the key figure along a strong United States defensive unit.
When the two teams met in February, the U.S. struggled to match the offensive intensity of the Hondurans while their defensive units were completely dominated. Slowing the pressure and opportunities of Honduras on Tuesday night will be the main plan as the United States looks for another win in qualification.
Wrap-Up
With three points handed to the winner, the United States and Honduras will look to further their standing in the CONCACAF hexagonal group. Be sure to catch all the action on Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00pm, EDT. Television coverage will be provided by the ESPN network while an on-line live stream will be offered through WatchESPN.
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