U.S. gets point with tie in critical Cup qualifier
SAN PEDRO SULA, HONDURAS >> The legs were heavy and the tension high in the 85th minute at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, where exuberant fans had been cheering and blowing vuvuzelas nonstop.
The United States was losing to Honduras in a World Cup qualifier played in searing late-afternoon tropical heat, just a few minutes from falling into a deep hole that would jeopardize the Americans’ streak of seven straight World Cup appearances.
Bobby Wood then silenced the crowd, scoring from short-range off a scramble following a free kick. The U.S. escaped from Honduras with a 1-1 tie Tuesday.
“Huge point. Great point,” U.S. captain Michael Bradley said. “In a lot of moments it has nothing to do with football. It’s about finding a way to survive and dealing with everything that gets thrown at you, having a group that can hold up in the toughest moments.”
Playing from behind after Romell Quioto put the Catrachos ahead in the 27th minute, the U.S. falls into fourth place in the North and Central American and Caribbean region with nine points, ahead of Honduras on goal difference with two qualifiers remaining. Panama moved into third with 10 points after it beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0.
The top three nations in the six-team group qualify for next year’s tournament in Russia, and the fourth-place finisher meets Australia or Syria in a playoff for another berth. The U.S. hosts Panama on Oct. 6 at Orlando, Florida, and finishes four days later at Trinidad.
“We knew what type of spot we were in. We knew we needed at least one point,” Wood said.
Wins in the final two games would ensure a World Cup berth, but for the first time since 1989 the Americans will head into their finale uncertain of qualifying. Before Wood’s goal, they might have put themselves in position to fight for a playoff spot at best.
“I was thinking we might have an early vacation at the end of this year,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said.
Quioto put the Catrachos ahead when he ran onto a pass from Alexander Lopez just inside the 18-yard box and broke in when defender Omar Gonzalez made only a slight touch on a crucial slide tackle. Left with an open 11yard shot, the Houston Dynamo’s Quioto beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan with a shot that bounced in off the far post, causing fans to stomp and shake the stadium.
Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ emerging 18-year-old star midfielder, was fouled about 30 yards from the goal and Kellyn Acosta took the free kick. Goalkeeper Luis Lopez made a sprawling save to bat the ball with his left hand. It landed near the end line, and Matt Besler beat Johnny Palacios to the ball and while falling backward hooked it in the air to former Stanford star and MLS rookie of the year Jordan Morris at the edge of the 6-yard box. Morris outjumped Henry Figueroa and sent a backward header to Wood, who made a nifty chest trap and shot.
After he chested the ball, Wood let it bounce and poked it in with his right foot from 4 yards. The stadium quieted in shock. Previously well-behaved fans threw horns and liquids at the Americans as they exited the field.
“Just kind of expecting it to land right in front of me and it did,” Wood said.