Deuce was on point for the USMNT but it was not easy against a Honduran side that mixed agricultural predisposition with some skill.
The USA had to battle out the last 20+ minutes of the second half as substitute Carlos Discua sliced through the US defense and curled the ball over Brad Guzan in the 70th minute. Discua’s excellent first touch from Wilmer Crisanto’s pass took him past defender Ventura Alvarado before entering the box. An instant later Guzan was beaten. The goal instantly transformed the match. Los Catrachos until then had wasted their impressive build up play through some wasteful long range scuds suddenly began to bomb the box coming very, very close a number of times. Brad Evans just managed to cut out a threatening cross before it got to Anthony Lozano. A few minutes later Guzan deflected a cross right into the path of Eddie Hernandez but the striker reacted a shade too late and his tap went wide. Hernandez soon after had the measure of the US defense but his shot just dragged wide.
One more goal would have neutralized what the USA had accomplished through Clint Dempsey’s 43rd and 44th goal coming through set pieces. The former Fulham striker showed impeccable opportunism as following a melee from a corner Donis Escobar, the Honduran goalie stretched out a leg to stop Jozy Altidore’s shot but as the ball rose the Deuce was at hand to follow up with a reflexive header. The US till then had looked quite disjointed and were clearly second best. The first half lead was doubled in the second when Michael Bradley making his 100th national appearance curled in a free kick which Dempsey outjumping his markers was able to get his head on. Once again, it came against the run of play as Los Catrachos looked threatening on the counterattacks but showed little patience for the end product.
The USA’s left flank was far more threatening as Gyasi Zardes, a highly rated prospect after a nondescript first half gradually became more penetrative in the second. Fabian Johnson was his venturesome self and an eye catching combination with De Andre Yedlin saw the Tottenham man clear and almost scoring; Escobar making himself big, thwarting him just in time. Yedlin’s partner Timothy Chandler on the right channel was a frustrating figure muddling forward without purpose and his defending was pockmarked by sloppy clearances. He was replaced by the steadier Brad Evans. Dempsey’s two seminal moments excepting, the striker spent most of the time sprawled on the pitch under the weight of innumerable Honduran challenges. The USA also could not take advantage of Altidore’s hold up play which is his strength.
Juergen Klinsmann will take this win despite the US sleepwalking for most of the match. It comes against a tough, physical, and this evening; in equal measure, a skillful Honduran side. The starting XI was a more conservative choice than the recent infusion of youthful exuberance in the friendlies and reflects the USA’s priorities. As Gold Cup winners, they get to go to the 2017 Confederations Cup, the perfect build up to the World Cup the following year. Otherwise, they are still guaranteed a one off playoff spot as the 2013 winners.