U.S. need help to reach 8th straight World Cup
The U.S. had lost once in 50 home qualifiers (42 wins, seven ties) since 1985 before defeats to Mexico last November and to Costa Rica on Friday night.
SAN PEDRO SULA, HONDURAS » Michael Bradley realizes the huge distinction between home games and road matches in international soccer.
“In some cases it couldn’t be more different,” the U.S. captain said last week at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. “You look around here: a beautiful stadium, a field that’s in great condition.”
And then he thought ahead to the Americans’ upcoming trip to Central America.
“Tuesday in Honduras will be the complete opposite,” he predicted, “so your group has to have a mentality that understands that, embraces that and realizes that the way to get results on the road is different.”
Teams usually reach the World Cup by winning home games and occasionally picking up points on the road. The U.S. had lost once in 50 home qualifiers (42 wins, seven ties) since 1985 before defeats to Mexico last November and to Costa Rica on Friday night.
During that same span, the Americans had 19 wins, 15 losses and 16 draws in away qualifiers.
A temperature in the low 90s is expected for the lateafternoon game, which kicks off at 3:36 p.m. (5:36 p.m. EDT). High humidity could make it feel like about 110, and rain is possible. The Americans won a night game here 3-2 eight years ago, then wasted a one-goal halftime lead in the afternoon in 2013, wilting during a 2-1 loss to the Catrachos.
Gaining at least a point at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano has become critical for the Americans, who are third in the North and Central America and the Caribbean with eight points, ahead of Honduras on goal difference. The top three teams qualify for next year’s tournament in Russia, and the fourthplace nation goes to a playoff against Asia’s No. 5 finisher.
Mexico (17 points) clinched Friday night and Costa Rica (14) is on the verge of assuring itself a World Cup trip. While Panama (seven points) could move into third with a home win over Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, the U.S. hosts the Panamanians next month and could move back ahead.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard said Friday’s 2-0 lost to Costa Rica doesn’t change the U.S. approach to Honduras.
“I think we would have anticipated us going down there and getting a win,” he said.
The U.S. probably will need wins or draws from all three of its remaining games to reach its eighth straight World Cup. The Americans host Panama on Oct. 6 at Orlando, Florida, and conclude the hexagonal four days later at Trinidad, which probably will have been eliminated by then.