CHICAGO - A goal in the first five minutes was a dagger in the United
States Men's National Team's last contest. This time around, however,
it turned into a spark.
After giving up an early goal in their match against Honduras Saturday
evening at Soldier Field, the US came back firing, keeping the ball in
their attacking third for a good part of the second half, keeping the
pressure on Honduras and forcing them into costly mistakes.
After the first goal of the match, struck by Carols Costly and assisted
by Wilson Palacios of Honduras, the team immediately went on the
offensive.
The US kept up the attack, and after a handball by Mario Beata of
Honduras in the box, they got on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty
kick by Landon Donovan.
The US came out strong in the second half by keeping the pressure on
and forcing the ball into their attacking third through grit and
scrappy play. Their efforts led to a corner kick.
As the corner came across the Honduras goal, Clint Dempsey made an
attempt at goal, sending the ball on a low dribble across the grass
feet from Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares. Amidst the confusion and
mass of bodies, US captain Carlos Bocanegra, with a head-first dive,
cemented the US lead, thrusting the ball forward into the right corner
of the net with a headder.
However, the Hondurans showed some scrap, as well, coming close to
scoring on several occasions during the second half. US goalkeeper Tim
Howard proved to be too much for them, though, as he prevented shots
and directed his team's defense toward the victory. His save in the
89th minute marked the last time the ball would enter his team's
defensive third via a Honduran attack.
The crowd of 55,647 present, the second-largest for a US team World Cup
Qualifier ever, was a sea of blue and white Honduran fans with
read-wearing US fans sprinkled among them. Despite the hostile, almost
away-like setting, the members of the US team kept their cool and
delivered.
The team was proud of its ability to bounce back after a tough loss in Costa Rica.
US beats Honduras, 2-1
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