USA 6-0 Honduras
The US men’s national team can now have a sigh of relief after beating Honduras to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Still winless in their first two football games in the round, betting tips are stacked against the Americans making it to Russia in 2018. However, excellent performances from hat-trick hero Clint Dempsey and Christian Pulisic turned around the betting odds as they rose to fourth – in clear contention for a qualification spot.
Dempsey finished with three goals, his third a beautiful free kick in the 54th minute that sealed the deal for the USA. At 34, he also became the nation’s oldest player with a hat-trick.
Pulisic, meanwhile, sparked USA’s second-half barrage as he scored within 20 seconds after the restart and assisted Dempsey just three minutes later. He ended the game with a goal and two assists, both to Dempsey.
Indeed, Honduras never threatened with the home side playing with a purpose and scoring in every opportunity they got.
The visitors used a 5-4-1 formation to absorb pressure and attack the Stars and Stripes on the counter, but Bruce Arena’s attack-heavy lineup proved to be too much for them.
It took only five minutes for the Americans to score, with a cool tap-in from Sebastian Lletget starting the goal-fest; but what clearly rattled Los Catrachos was Michael Bradley’s solo run in 27 minutes that ultimately led to their second goal.
It went downward spiral for Honduras from there on as they struggled to keep up on the offensive end with five defenders at the back.
The game was pretty much over at the hour mark with the USA leading by six goals. Arena replaced his starters and gave them some much-needed rest to keep their legs fresh for their trip to Panama later next week.
With the win, the USA got their first points in the round and leapfrogged Honduras in the CONCACAF standings.
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