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Played
October 8, 2011 6:00 PM EDT
Sun Life Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida
Referee: C. Campbell
October 8, 2011 6:00 PM EDT
Sun Life Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida
Referee: C. Campbell
35′
Clint Dempsey
USA 1-0 Honduras: Clint Dempsey scores as Jurgen Klinsmann earns first win with the U.S.
The new coach earned his first win in four tries since taking over the coaching duties back in July.
By Mike Slane
Getty Images
MIAMI -- A rain storm and small risk of a tornado may have kept the fans away, but the United States came ready to play in a game that was crucial for the team’s morale.
Looking for its first win under new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. put the pressure on Honduras early and often as it pulled out a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s entertaining international friendly at Sun Life Stadium.
Clint Dempsey scored in the first half off an assist from youngster Brek Shea to help the Americans improve to 1-2-1 since Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley in July.
"We're happy to get our first win for our new manager and hopefully we can build on this," Dempsey said.
Honduras had chances of its own as well, but a handful of impressive saves from U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard allowed the team to hold on to the clean sheet.
It took only 18 minutes before Honduras gave the U.S. its first real scare as Jerry Bengtson found his way behind U.S. defenders with a clear path to the goal. But Howard, in the one-on-one situation, stepped up and made a fantastic save.
Just over a minute later, Shea had an open shot on net but watched the ball sail just over the crossbar. Another big chance followed as Maurice Edu got his head on a Steve Cherundolo free kick only to have it turned away by Honduras keeper Donis Escobar.
It was a matter of time before the U.S. finally found the back of the net.
"I think after 20, 25 minutes we took over," Klinsmann said. "We created a lot more chances and I had the feeling that it was just a question of time until we score that first goal."
"I tried to hit it with my right foot and saw that it was going to get deflected so then I shifted the play to where I can get an open shot on goal," said Dempsey, who has 23 international goals.
Dempsey’s powerful strike marked the first time the U.S. had led a game under the new management. It was also only the second goal in the team's last four games despite Klinsmann's focus on an attacking style of play.
Shea almost had a goal of his own in the 58th minute, but he slipped on the wet grass as he received a pass just a few feet away from the goal line.
"It wasn't the best condition for a game," Shea said.
As Honduras began to put the U.S. on its heels, Klinsmann replaced Danny Williams and Maurice Edu with veterans DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Bradley. The changes seemed to shift the momentum back to the Americans.
Dempsey had a goal off a header called back in the 84th minute after the referee claimed the midfielder pushed off the defender.
"For whatever reason it was disallowed," Klinsmann said. "It reminded us of Belgium. Two goals now that they've stole from us, but that's the way it is."
But, unlike in the 1-0 loss to Belgium last month, the U.S. team got the result it desperately wanted.
"I always want to win and I want to get the results right," Klinsmann added.
Klinsmann's roster, comprised of many veteran players with a few youngsters sprinkled into the mix, seemed to be the best of any he's chosen so far.
Williams was named to the starting XI as he made his national team debut. The German-born midfielder, who certified his U.S. citizenship and obtained a passport Sept. 30, made an instant impact with his aggressive and physical play.
"He did the right things," Klinsmann said.
Even without Landon Donovan, who was ruled out of both friendlies this month due to a strained right quadriceps, the U.S. looked better than it has since the Gold Cup.
Matthew Spitz of usfutblog.com contributed reporting to this article
Looking for its first win under new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. put the pressure on Honduras early and often as it pulled out a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s entertaining international friendly at Sun Life Stadium.
Clint Dempsey scored in the first half off an assist from youngster Brek Shea to help the Americans improve to 1-2-1 since Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley in July.
"We're happy to get our first win for our new manager and hopefully we can build on this," Dempsey said.
Honduras had chances of its own as well, but a handful of impressive saves from U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard allowed the team to hold on to the clean sheet.
It took only 18 minutes before Honduras gave the U.S. its first real scare as Jerry Bengtson found his way behind U.S. defenders with a clear path to the goal. But Howard, in the one-on-one situation, stepped up and made a fantastic save.
Just over a minute later, Shea had an open shot on net but watched the ball sail just over the crossbar. Another big chance followed as Maurice Edu got his head on a Steve Cherundolo free kick only to have it turned away by Honduras keeper Donis Escobar.
It was a matter of time before the U.S. finally found the back of the net.
"I think after 20, 25 minutes we took over," Klinsmann said. "We created a lot more chances and I had the feeling that it was just a question of time until we score that first goal."
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"I tried to hit it with my right foot and saw that it was going to get deflected so then I shifted the play to where I can get an open shot on goal," said Dempsey, who has 23 international goals.
Dempsey’s powerful strike marked the first time the U.S. had led a game under the new management. It was also only the second goal in the team's last four games despite Klinsmann's focus on an attacking style of play.
Shea almost had a goal of his own in the 58th minute, but he slipped on the wet grass as he received a pass just a few feet away from the goal line.
"It wasn't the best condition for a game," Shea said.
As Honduras began to put the U.S. on its heels, Klinsmann replaced Danny Williams and Maurice Edu with veterans DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Bradley. The changes seemed to shift the momentum back to the Americans.
Dempsey had a goal off a header called back in the 84th minute after the referee claimed the midfielder pushed off the defender.
"For whatever reason it was disallowed," Klinsmann said. "It reminded us of Belgium. Two goals now that they've stole from us, but that's the way it is."
But, unlike in the 1-0 loss to Belgium last month, the U.S. team got the result it desperately wanted.
"I always want to win and I want to get the results right," Klinsmann added.
Klinsmann's roster, comprised of many veteran players with a few youngsters sprinkled into the mix, seemed to be the best of any he's chosen so far.
Williams was named to the starting XI as he made his national team debut. The German-born midfielder, who certified his U.S. citizenship and obtained a passport Sept. 30, made an instant impact with his aggressive and physical play.
"He did the right things," Klinsmann said.
Even without Landon Donovan, who was ruled out of both friendlies this month due to a strained right quadriceps, the U.S. looked better than it has since the Gold Cup.
Matthew Spitz of usfutblog.com contributed reporting to this article
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oleh Husyev
Midfielder Ukraine |
4 | 2 |
|
Michael Mifsud
Striker Malta |
4 | 0 |
|
Carlos Ruiz Gutierrez
Striker Guatemala |
4 | 0 |
|
Mohir Shukurov
Midfielder Azerbaijan |
3 | 2 |
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Netherlands |
3 | 1 |