The U.S. men’s national team will try to rebound from Sunday’s World Cup qualifying loss to Canada with a win on Wednesday against struggling Honduras at a freezing Allianz Field (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1).
The Americans are currently in second place in the Concacaf Octagonal, but anything short of a win against last-place Honduras could make for a tricky final window in March, when the USMNT has trips to Mexico and Costa Rica, two places the Americans have never won a World Cup qualifier.
Wednesday’s match is against a Honduran side already eliminated from World Cup qualification, but the Catrachos will be looking to play the role of spoilers.
The match is being played in extremely cold conditions that could include temperatures well below zero with wind chill factored in. The USMNT has broken its own record for coldest environments played in with the recent matches against Canada and El Salvador, but the temperature will be more than 20 degrees colder in Minnesota.
Gregg Berhalter has shaken up his starting lineup, resting Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest and Yunus Musah after all three started in the first two qualifiers of the window. Jordan Morris, Tim Weah and Reggie Cannon start in their place.
Ricardo Pepi is back in the lineup for the Americans after being left out of the lineup for the recent qualifiers. He will try to repeat his success against Honduras after a one-goal, two-assist masterpiece in his USMNT debut back in September.
Here is the full USMNT starting lineup:
Here is a rundown of SBI’s pre-match coverage heading into the USMNT-Honduras qualifier:
USMNT seeking bounce-back result against eliminated Honduras. (READ)
The SBI Show: Episode 350 (Recapping USMNT-Canada, USMNT-Honduras preview). (READ)
Arctic conditions setting in as extreme cold threatens to hamper USMNT-Honduras qualifier (READ)
After two straight lackluster outings, Christian Pulisic has something to prove. (READ)
Who will, and who should the USMNT start vs. Honduras (READ)
Tyler Adams, Chris Richards to miss USMNT-Honduras with injuries (READ)
Concacaf World Cup qualifying Preview: Mexico hosts Panama, Canada visits El Salvador, and more. (READ)
SBI’s editorial staff will be providing updates and analysis in the comments section below so feel free to follow along, and you are also welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions on the action.
Enjoy the match.
Solid result. Never easy in qualification no matter the opponent.
So Mexico has to feel a bit of pressure, especially with goal differential as first factor for tie-breaker. Gotta pull for Mexico to be motivated and get 3 points against Panama later tonight.
Good to see LDLT go the distance, and Morris to get in 60 minutes after his recovery.
Really impressed with Acosta tonight. Had a hand in all the goals if I recall correctly.
Also thought McKinney was good and De Le Torre got stronger as the game progressed— liked what he gave us.
I’d give MOTM to Acosta today. We needed a strong game from him in Adam’s place, and he really raised it to a higher level today. You do not have to always score to get MOTM. We just need consistency like that in future games.
Final: USMNT 3 – Honduras 0. Goals from McKennie, Zimmerman, and Pulisic as Americans earn needed bounce back result. Fifth shutout in WCQ and a good win overall. Now up to 21 points.
De la Torre and McKennie share MOTM imo
Weston McKennie off as Cristian Roldan comes on. Very strong night for McKennie who was all over the field for Gregg Berhalter. Needed that with Tyler Adams out.
Berhalter took a selfie with a couple fans. Interesting…. ‘82
The ref did not call a penalty when Aronson went down. Great run after receiving Zimmerman’s header pass. ‘78
Brenden Aaronson and Jesus Ferreira on for Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah. Weah looked likely early but tapered off, while Pepi was pretty quiet outside of his impact off the third goal. 77′
Team
Love CP’ s reaction to goal
Pepi wins the header and Honduras can’t clear. Christian Pulisic scores with his second touch after being subbed on. 3-0 USMNT. Huge confidence boost for the Chelsea winger.
Honduras with plenty of tired legs out there in the second half, but USMNT can’t add a third yet. Christian Pulisic readying to come on for Jordan Morris. 63′
The urgency from ALL
Second half underway as USMNT continues to pile on pressure. McKennie setting up Weah for a good effort on goal. A few more goals would be great for Americans as goal differential could become closer in the top four.
HT: USMNT 2 – Honduras 0. Goals from Weston McKennie and Walker Zimmerman has the Americans in front in a must-win match. The Americans could be up by more too, but overall it’s the expected response.
1 minute of stoppage time?!
The US are trying to create a 3rd goal through the right side with Weah. Headed from Zimmerman is blocked by the Honduran defense. ‘45
1 minute…LOL
You can just tell that Zimmerman is happy to be back with the way he has interacted with his teammates tonight. VAR verified the goal. ‘38
2-0 USMNT. Two set pieces, two goals for the Americans as Walker Zimmerman scores off the failed clearance by Honduras. 38′
More total BS from Honduras leads to goal 2
Nice
Luca De La Torre has been a nice surprise. Not afraid to try something and race upfield in possession.
Diego Rodríguez looks to be in bad shape at the edge his side’s box. Got stepped on hard. Nothing to take lightly in these conditions. 30’
No card again, lol
De la Torre starting to feel it, you can see
Seen a good amount from Tim Weah, but not a lot from Jordan Morris so far. Pepi has been fairly quiet too. Need to get those two going for the offensive chances to increase. 25′
My opinion…those playing Jordan the ball need to be his eyes and tell him to turn when it’s on
Tim Weah with a great curling effort and a phonomenal save by Luis Lopez to deny the second USMNT goal. Need more players taking chances like that and trying something. 21′
…then the ref gives a goal kick to Honduras.
Wimp whistle on la Torre after. Eli’s a POS so far out there
Red card for me, not even a foul
Difference between Ricardo and Gyasi is grand canyon
With Honduras coming out now, the counter is on when we defend
USMNT looking to keep the tempo high after that opening goal, but Honduras doing well to get into the game with quick passes and possession. 16′
If we had this referee in the Canada game, Canada’s game plan to foul early would have faltered and made for a much different game.
You might be on to something. The Canada-USA let a TON go, while tonight’s Jamaican ref is calling things super tight.
1-0 USMNT. Weston McKennie rises high and heads home a delicious free kick from Kellyn Acosta for his eighth international goal. Romell Quioto mistimed his jump on defense. First set piece goal for Americans this qualifying cycle.
Marcelo Balboa says there’s some ice in the grass, and sprinkles of white were visible. Temperature 3°F. Sideline reporters say they have portable heaters, but they predict there will be slipping and the ball will be hard to control.
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Not that it would have been much better tonight in Texas. Brr. )-:
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But how about that kick by Acosta and header by McKenzie. 1-0. (-:
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Ok, that’s finally a good start.
6 minutes in and 2 for stoppage already maybe more. Lots of fouls and BS lead to Weston’s air ball. He’s awesome up there
Honduras bunkering down defensively so USMNT will have work to do to break them down, something its hard trouble with doing in the first half throughout qualifying.
The USMNT looking for a bounce-back result after Sunday’s loss in Canada. Luca De La Torre makes his first start while Jordan Morris makes his first competitive start in 2019. Seven changes in the XI as a whole.