by FRANCO PANIZO
MIAMI- The U.S. men's national team has won just once on the road in the final round of World Cup qualifying, and Honduras has yet to lose a home qualifier this cycle, but those facts aren't keeping the U.S. team from believing that it can go to San Pedro Sula on Saturday and score a positive result.
"It's going to be a complicated game, but we're confident in the way we're playing," said Landon Donovan. "Plus, last time we went to Honduras we won 2-1 so [a win] is possible."
The last time the U.S. team went to Honduras was in 2001, when the Americans posted a 2-1 victory courtesy of an Earnie Stewart strike and Clint Mathis game-winning free kick. The U.S. team struck first in that game, and the team hopes to repeat that, as well as not concede early, as that has plagued them throughout the Hexagonal.
"A key this weekend is to make sure we don't give up an early goal. With the passion that their players have, that their crowd will have, giving up an early goal would hurt a lot," said Donovan.
While avoiding an early goal is in U.S. team's hands, the loss of Clint Dempsey is not. Dempsey was ruled out of the Honduras qualifier on Monday, and is questionable for the Costa Rica qualifier on Oct. 14. Midfielders Benny Feilhaber and Stuart Holden are the likely candidates to fill in for Dempsey.
"Clint is a big part of this team, and having him out everyone is going to have to pick it up a little bit," said Holden. "If I'm called upon, I'm ready... If given that opportunity, I won't let anybody down."
To pull out a win and qualify for the World Cup, however, the U.S. team will need a team effort in the cauldron that is San Pedro Sula.
"We understand that they're going to come out, all guns blazing," said Holden. "[They are] at home, with the crowd behind them, and if we can provide an attacking mentality then we'll have a good chance."
Some other news and notes from Tuesday's training session:
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20 of the 21 players available were in camp for the training session. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan is expected to arrive today and practice on Wednesday.
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Tim Howard did practice today, but goalkeepers from Barry University also participated in the practice.
- Clint Dempsey is in England receiving treatment for his injury. He has not been ruled out for next week's U.S.-Costa Rica qualifier.
- Steve Cherundolo is the only player on the U.S. roster to have played a World Cup qualifier in Honduras before, playing 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory in 2001.
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What do you think of the U.S.'s optimistic outlook for their game at Honduras? Think Holden will get the start with Dempsey out? Hoping Dempsey heals up in time for next week's qualifier?
Share your thoughts below.
