U.S. shows grit in comeback against HondurasWorld Cup qualifying was supposed to be a mere formality for the United States, but reality is proving to be something very different. The Americans continued to make life hard for themselves in Saturday's match against Honduras, yet they took a major step towards qualification with a vital 2-1 victory over the Catrachos.
It was a victory borne of grit, guts, and just about any other adjective that is code for an ugly win. Yet the Americans will take it just the same, notching their first comeback victory in qualifying since a 2-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago back in 1985.
Just like in Wednesday's loss to Costa Rica, the U.S. endured another shocking start to the match. On this occasion, Clint Dempsey was stripped of the ball in his own half by Wilson Palacios in the fifth minute, and Palacios' feed to Carlos Costly found his teammate in enough space to lash home his shot past Tim Howard. It was a goal that sent the largely pro-Honduran crowd into rapture, and plunged the U.S. into serious self-doubt.
(continue)