Olympic Qualifying: USA vs. Honduras (Running Commentary)
Good evening folks. Tonight is the night we find out where the U.S. Under-23 national team finishes in the Group A standings. Panama's 4-1 win against Cuba earlier today means the Americans have qualified for the qualifying tournament semifinals. What remains to be seen is whether the Americans will finish first or second in Group A.
A win tonight against Honduras and the United States finishes atop Group A. A draw or loss and Honduras wins the group. Just what that means remains to be seen because Group B is completely upside down. If the Americans finish in second place it will face Guatemala in the semifinals with an Olympic berth on the line. If the Americans finish in first place in the group it could face Mexico, Haiti or even Canada.
You can follow the action here as I will be providing a running commentary of the match. Please share your own thoughts and opinions on the match in the comments section.
Let's get started:
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FINAL- That's all for tonight folks. Thanks for following along on SBI and please share your post-match thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
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FINAL- And the USA wins the match, 1-0, and finish in first place in Group A. This means the Americans will face either Haiti, Mexico or Canada in the decisive semifinal on Thursday. Charlie Davies comes in as a sub and draws two penalties, missing the first and letting Gaven convert the second.
It was an ugly match but the Americans were never in much trouble against a Honduran team resting its best players.
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95th minute- GOAL USA!!!!!. Gaven converts the PK
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95th minute- Eddie Gaven to take the PK
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94th minute- USA PENALTY. WOW
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90th minute- This game is almost over and the USA looks like it will avoid Mexico in the semifinals.
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87th minute- Findley with a nice run into the area. He's been the best of the Findley-Barrett-Davies trio tonight.
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86th minute- Davies with another dive. I'm starting to think he's part Honduran.
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85th minute- Nunez fires one off the left post and the Americans dodge a bullet.
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84th minute- Yes folks, that was Chad Barrett with a purposeful pass that wasn't a turnover. So what if he turned it over once he got it back.
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83rd minute- McCarty with a foul on former Dallas teammate Ramon Nunez. I can imagine the stories they could tell about each other.
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81st minute- A heel flick that leads to nothing is called wonderful. DRINK!!
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78th minute- A female streaker halts the game and, yes folks, she wasn't bad at all. Gotta love FSC showing replays of her streak job, can't say I blame them.
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74th minute- The United States comes close but Chad Barrett's wide-open header goes wide.
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68th minute- MLS washout Ramon Nunez is set to come into the match for Honduras.
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67th minute- Some very good stuff from Eddie Gaven tonight. I think you can argue that he deserves to start in the semifinals.
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65th minute- I'm starting to think we should have made a drinking game out of Honduran players faking injuries. We would all be drunk by now.
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62nd minute- DAVIES MISSES!!!! Charlie Davies wanted the PK and he promptly sailed it wide right by a few inches.
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61st minute- USA PENALTY. Davies brought down in the area and Davies has a PK to take now.
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60th minute- Charlie Davies and Dax McCarty coming in for Sal Zizzo and Sacha Kljestan.
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51st minute- Kljestan with an ugly tackle that earns him a yellow.
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46th minute- We're under way and Honduras gets a good shot on goal just seconds into the match. Cervi with a decent save.
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HALFTIME- We're scoreless at the half. Honduras isn't really doing much and the Americans have had the better of the play, though they haven't been stellar either. Nowak has to think about putting Charlie Davies in for Barrett. If he doesn't bench Barrett I'm afraid some SBI readers might wind up with alcohol poisoning.
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46th minute- I'm starting to think the Americans want a tie here. If Barrett stays in the game in the second half then I definitely think that's the case.
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45th minute- Wow, Honduran midfielder Irvin Reyna with a TOUGH tackle on Zizzo.
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44th minute- Barrett with ANOTHER turnover. DRINK!
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43rd minute- Here's an honest, CONCACAF-inspired question. What is more annoying, when a player dives badly or when a player lobbies hard for an opponent to get a card? It's a tough call but I think I'll go with the card lobbying.
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41st minute- Barrett with a horrid turnover. DRINK!
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39th minute- Kljestan with a bad turnover that leads to a Honduras break. Has anybody's stock dropped more from the end of Game two to now than Kljestan?
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38th minute- Honduras doesn't really look that interested in attacking soccer, though it may just be a product of its second team not being that good.
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33rd minute- Barrett with a shot on goal, okay so it rolled to the goalkeeper, but at least he kept it on the field.
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32nd minute- Sorry Mr. Miles, a keeper punching a ball right to an opposing player 20 yards from goal is NOT punching the ball to safety. Everybody DRINK!
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30th minute- Random question: When did the Jheri curl become the national hairstyle of Honduras?
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29th minute- Free roam, I believe that's a cell phone plan, but I digress. Cervi gets a save, even if it was an easy one. For those who forget, Cervi was easily the best goalkeeper at the MLS Combine and has a bright future somewhere. Yes, I said somewhere, he hasn't signed with the Chicago Fire just yet.
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25th minute- Just so you folks don't think I'm a complete hater I do think Brian Dunseth has done a great job as a color analyst. Though if he says Cruyff one more time I might break my TV. Actually, that's a drinking game. Anytime Dunseth says Cruyff everybody drinks.
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24th minute- Someone should tell the Honduran goalkeeper that Memo Ochoa called, he wants his look back.
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22nd minute- Great sequence with Zizzo finding Findley and Findley with a beautiful move in the area. Would have been a goal if not for the Honduran goalkeeper.
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19th minute- Okay, I've got the second drinking game. Any time Christian Miles praises a play and the play winds up being a turnover or terrible shot you must drink. He does it far too often. Hope you folks have a lot of alcohol available.
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18th minute- I don't know who the Honduras coach is but he's the best dressed coach you'll ever see in a U-23 game.
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17th minute- For those of you wondering, that awful Chad Barrett cross counts as a turnover, so DRINK.
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14th minute- Honduran Daniel Alvarez pretends like Stuart Holden just shot him, but the ref doesn't bite. I wonder if Alvarez is related to Amado Guevara with that acting.
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13th minute- Okay, the first drinking game involves Chad Barrett. Any time Barrett shanks a shot or commits a turnover you must drink. Yes, it's St. Patty's weekend, so we're bringing the heat with the drinking games.
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12nd minute- The Americans are passing very well tonight, at least in part because Honduras doesn't seem too interested in applying heavy defensive pressure.
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10th minute- I wonder if Red Bulls fans are involuntarily complaining at the sound of "Reyna" being repeated over and over.
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9th minute- Wow. Dom Cervi coming out like a maniac off his line. He got a tad lucky to get an offside call.
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8th minute- Since it's Saturday night and St. Patty's Day weekend, we must have some drinking games for this match. I'll have a few shortly.
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7th minute- Maybe it's just me but it's tough to accept that Eddie Gaven is now a married guy with a beard. Where do the years go?
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5th minute- Interesting game tonight for the Americans. They know a tie or loss gets them Guatemala. Do you settle for that or do you still try to win the group and potentially face Mexico?
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4th minute- Here's a question. This game is being broadcast in English. Do we really need Michael Orozco's name pronounced with the heavy Spanish accenting?
And yes, Mr. Miles is still calling Freddy Adu Freddy Ay-doo.
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3rd minute- Good stuff from the Americans early on. Nice passing.
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2nd minute- And we're under way.
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PRE-GAME- Here is the US lineup:
----------Barrett------------
------Gaven----Findley-----
Holden----Kljestan-----Zizzo
Freeman-----------------Hill
----------Orozco---Ianni------
------------Cervi--------------
PRE-GAME- Are we really getting anything from these cliche-filled pre-game interviews?
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Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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I imagine this will be a match with neither team trying too hard for the win. Hope it isn't tedious.
Posted by: Derek (Brooklyn) | March 15, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I expect an ugly match with U.S. just trying to get a result.
I'll be in and out, gots to get ready for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight.
GO PACMAN!
Posted by: Dominghosa | March 15, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I hope Christian Miles read my email, I'm gonna explode if he keeps saying Freddy AY-doo and Sal Zisso.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:01 PM
DAMMIT, HE IS STILL SAYING IT WRONG. I can't listen to this guy.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Let's hope no one gets injured. Especially Zizzo, Kjestan, and Orozco.
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Will we score a goal without Adu and Altidore?
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Nice feed from Barrett.
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:07 PM
I'm not able to watch it on my computer so any information from the game at all is appreciated :)
Posted by: Scott A | March 15, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Looks like they need to communicate better....
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Chase...not only are Adu and Altidore missing but Chad freaking Barrett is the lone striker. Your question is extremely on point.
If Honduras scores a goal we'll need an offensive sub.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Extremely lucky there, awful defending.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Wow that guy rolled over a ton of times, I hate fakers more than anything else.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Ives, great idea. I just set up a booze IV directly into my veins. It's way better than having to constantly tilt my head back.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Seriously, for the US being a "athletic" team, our forwards seem to be lazy about pressuring the ball. That's why Honduras is able to launch long balls at easy behind our centerbacks.
Also not sure if Freeman is always tentative playing balls in the air or not, but he's had one or two so far I thought he could have played better.
Posted by: dano | March 15, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Dano there's only one forward out there for us tonight, and he sucks, so it should be expected at this point.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:22 PM
speaking of Amado, I hear he's coming back to MLS
Posted by: sprool11 | March 15, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Good god Chad Barrett is so terrible.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:23 PM
I just don't get Nowak fascination with a lone striker up top. Playing with one forward and wanting to rest other players, pretty much forces you to play someone out of position, i.e. Findley on the wing. At least tonight we have one true winger in Zizzo.
Posted by: Forrest | March 15, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Chad Barrett got called up why?
Posted by: Paul Lorinczi | March 15, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Ives,
Do you yellow and red cars carry over to the next round?
Posted by: Sandro | March 15, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Ives if you want to ring in St. Patty's, you could throw in a new rule. Any time Christian Miles mispronounces a name or non-English word, drink.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Chad Barrett is worthless, just thought I'd add that...
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Will what be allowed? Miles literally thought they just scored. What a frigging tool.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:28 PM
"great play by Robby Findley, but will it count!?"
-Christian Miles
Uh...will what count? The save? It didn't go in, dude.
Christian Miles is almost as pathetic as Chad Barrett.
Posted by: dallen | March 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Finally, a few good shots/passes from Kamani Hill.
Posted by: Sandro | March 15, 2008 at 07:30 PM
On a positive note, I'm really liking the play of Orozco, Holden, and Zizzo...
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Ok...is it me or is the strategy against the us to pack it in? Both Cuba and Panama did it too.
BTW...I like Holden....by far one of the most lively players on the team.
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | March 15, 2008 at 07:31 PM
I love how you're not allowed to go for the ball anymore, you're supposed to just let the keeper catch it.
Great acting job too.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:32 PM
How in the world was that a foul on Findley?? He has a right to attack the ball, oh and why is every set piece we take, incredibly slow, looping, and hit 50 feet in the air, terrible...
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Magic Spray!
Posted by: dano | March 15, 2008 at 07:33 PM
This ref is biting every single dive.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:33 PM
kpugs...my thoughts exactly...in the EPL, that would not have been a call. Findley had a position and the goalie ran into him.
BS Call and bs acting. You know...it would be great if fans showed up with the gymnastics/figure skating cards and raised them when these guys roll around like that...
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | March 15, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Dude, what is u with concacaf teams and the mini-mullet????
Posted by: JN | March 15, 2008 at 07:36 PM
If Barrett scores, I'm going to chug my whoel beer.
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I know most of you want Barrett gone and I agree. But we also need Klejstan gone. That guy is worthless and does not know how to pass. He is playing midfield, if you can't pass get off the team. I for one have never been impressed by Klejstan.
Posted by: Spencer | March 15, 2008 at 07:37 PM
A thunderous drive from Barrett...
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Kljestan is not looking good at all, another turn over. Orozco looks solid
Posted by: Erik Abarca | March 15, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Does that horrible shot count as a turnover? Is Chad Barrett a striker?
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Steve, he's a striker...in theory. Hehehe.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Barrett isn't even trying to get involved. He's out in the middle of nowhere ball-watching. He might as well be in the stands.
Posted by: Steve | March 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I really liked Holden's shot, not much windup, good velocity and low. Makes the keeper stay awake when players can do that, and we don't shoot from outside enough.
To add to the criticism of Barrett, if he holds the ball up and plays the ball out wide, and then immediately stops and walks rather than moving into space, a coach needs to chew his as...oh wait, is that what nowak was yelling about?
Posted by: dano | March 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Who is better for this team at RB, Hill or Wynne?
Posted by: Chase | March 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM
pffftt!
What a girl! Are there Seria A scouts in the crowd or something?
Posted by: dallen | March 15, 2008 at 07:43 PM
That foul was about a 5. Good job Zizzo
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | March 15, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Robbie Findley witha blazing header, what an amazing save the keeper had to make there.
Chase...good question. Hill seems to be okay, but I could have sworn that anywhere outside the U-23 team he plays as a striker.
Posted by: kpugs | March 15, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Hill
Posted by: Dominghosa | March 15, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Magic Spray #2!
Posted by: dano | March 15, 2008 at 07:45 PM
I like the play out of the back from the US, they come out touching the ball well.
Posted by: Erik Abarca | March 15, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Good grief, Honduras dives and rolls around on the ground more than Panama, and I thought that was just about impossible to do. At least this ref has been better than the ones in the USA's first two games, and isn't falling for it as much.
Posted by: Forrest | March 15, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Does anybodu know if Orozco Speaks english as a second language or first?
Posted by: LUIS | March 15, 2008 at 07:46 PM