The strain on the U.S. males’s nationwide group has been rising with each match it doesn’t win in World Cup qualifying. It’ll be the identical story on Wednesday in opposition to Honduras, the place the People haven’t gained of their previous two qualifying visits (loss and draw) relationship again to 2013.
The rising sense of alarm amongst U.S. followers has lots to do with the 2018 World Cup qualifying debacle, which finally noticed the U.S. group miss its first World Cup since 1986. A sluggish begin on that event doomed the People. This time the USA has two attracts from its opening two matches (attracts vs. El Salvador and Canada), which is best than the 2 losses with which the USA opened qualifying 4 years in the past. And it’s not all gloom and doom: The USMNT is tied on two factors with three different groups and solely Mexico (6 factors) and Panama (4 factors) have extra factors.
“If I’m a fan, I’m not proud of two factors after two video games. I’m not. And I can perceive frustration. That’s utterly regular,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter stated within the pregame information convention. “However you must have a look at the large image. It is a marathon and never a dash.”
MORE: CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings & schedule
Along with what has typically been an irregular enjoying floor and a hostile crowd, Honduras is more likely to current the USA with the identical tactical challenges that Canada did in Sunday’s 1-1 draw: an organized block of 8-9 gamers that will likely be tough to penetrate. And people Honduran gamers will likely be rested sufficient to problem for each ball after the Catrachos made 9 lineup modifications in its Sunday match in opposition to El Salvador. “We all know it’s a tough protection to interrupt down,” Berhalter stated.
Honduras is also on two factors after two matches, however their two matches each got here on the highway (in Canada and El Salvador). Their recreation is based on being robust to play in opposition to they usually’ll choose their moments to spring on the counter. Towards a U.S. group lacking a lot of gamers to harm and suspension, the Hondurans will likely be sensing that circumstances set up completely for a well-known house win that might give their World Cup qualifying bid a critical enhance.
Tips on how to watch Honduras vs. USA
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 8Time: 10:30 p.m. ETSpanish-language TV: Telemundo, UniversoStream: fuboTV, Paramount+
The match will likely be broadcast on Telemundo and Universo and each these channels may be streamed on fuboTV (free 7-day trial). Paramount+ additionally will carry the match.
The occasion will likely be held on the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, which will likely be offered out at 50 p.c capability (18,000 followers).
USA vs. Honduras: projected lineups
The USMNT has a listing of gamers who will miss the match, together with a handful of stars similar to Gio Reyna (hamstring), Sergino Dest (ankle) and Weston McKennie (group violation). It implies that Christian Pulisic could have a fair larger bullseye on his again than ordinary. It’s an opportunity for the likes of Brenden Aaronson, who has already been one of many USA’s prime performers, or Konrad de la Fuente to step up.
Berhalter can probably go to a three-man backline (3-4-3) formation with James Sands in the course of the opposite two heart backs, however that may not be perfect for a central midfield that will likely be below intense strain. Whereas some gamers appear pretty locked in to their beginning spots, contemporary legs needs to be anticipated in others: De la Fuente at left wing? George Bello at left again? Walker Zimmerman or Mark McKenzie at heart again?
USMNT projected lineup (4-3-3, left to proper): 1-Matt Turner-GK — 21-George Bello, 12-Miles Robinson, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 22-DeAndre Yedlin — 23-Kellyn Acosta, 4-Tyler Adams, 17-Sebastian Lletget — 20-Konrad de la Fuente, 9-Josh Sargent, 10-Christian Pulisic
USMNT projected subs (12): 18-Ethan Horvath-GK, 8-Sean Johnson-GK, 5-Antonee Robinson, 16-James Sands, 13-Tim Ream, 15-Mark McKenzie, 6-John Brooks, 2-Jackson Yueill, 7-Cristian Roldan, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 14-Ricardo Pepi, 19-Jordan Pefok
Honduras head coach Fabian Coito made 9 modifications to his beginning lineup from the primary match in opposition to Canada to the second in opposition to El Salvador, presumably trying to relaxation gamers for the house recreation in opposition to the USA. One main absence is playmaker Alex Lopez, who scored the Catrachos’ solely purpose to this point on a penalty kick in opposition to Canada. He injured himself on that penalty and has already rejoined his membership group to start his restoration.
Honduras projected XI (4-4-2, left to proper): 22-Luis Lopez — 23-Diego Rodriguez, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 4-Marcelo Pereira, 17-Andy Najar — 10-Rigoberto Rivas, 15-Kervin Arriaga, 20-Deybi Flores, 8-Edwin Rodriguez — 13-Brayan Moya, 12-Romell Quioto
Honduras projected subs (12): 1-Edrick Menjivar-GK, 18-Marlon Licona-GK, 2-Felix Crisanto, 5-Danilo Acosta, 16-Johnny Leveron, 19-Jose Garcia, 6-Bryan Acosta, 7-Carlos Pineda, 14-Boniek Garcia, 21-Jonathan Toro, 9-Antony “Choco” Lozano, 11-Eddie Hernandez
USA vs. Honduras: Odds & prediction
Going into the match, the standard pondering is that there is no such thing as a means the U.S. males’s nationwide group can pull off a win in Honduras with out so lots of its vital gamers. The vibe is that the group might be demoralized and emotionally drained by its first two matches, the accidents and the McKennie saga. However the oddsmakers say otherwise they usually’re in all probability proper.
So long as Christian Pulisic is on the sector, this U.S. group has the weapons to provide Honduras a tricky time. He is able to the one or two moments of magic that may resolve a CONCACAF qualifier. And with solely 18,000 followers (50 p.c capability), the environment on the Metropolitano gained’t be as hostile as it’s identified to be. So the truth that the USA remains to be the favourite to win (-115) isn’t any shock. However the reality is that this recreation can go in any course.
So the easiest way to play it is perhaps for a risk-averse begin by each groups (they have been deadlocked at 0-0 for 88 minutes in an equally high-stakes Nations League semifinal in June). A primary-half draw (-110) or a goal-less first half (+145 Underneath 0.5 complete targets) are considerably dangerous bets with that strategy in thoughts. However neither aspect has its first-choice assault they usually additionally haven’t been lighting it up on the attacking finish in September. Plus, the USA’s Matt Turner is an elite shot-stopper and he’s good for one or two goal-saving stops in each match. One other barely safer angle may very well be banking on the second half being the higher-scoring of the 2 halves (+110) when gamers are fatigued and the groups are taking a number of extra possibilities.
Prediction: Honduras 0, USA 1
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Honduras to win: +340Draw: +215USA to win: -115Underneath 2.5 complete targets: -165Highest scoring half – 2nd half: +1101st Half draw: -1101st Half consequence 0-0: +145Underneath 0.5 complete targets – 1st half: +145
