|
|
Gold Cup Preview: United States-Honduras
Who: United States vs. Honduras What: Gold Cup Group B When: 9:00 ET, Wednesday, July 8 Where: RFK Stadium; Washington D.C. TV: Fox Soccer Channel and Telefutura
Jul 6, 2009 4:25:31 PM
By Noah Davis
Four days after defeating an overmatched squad from Grenada by a margin of four goals, the United States Men's National Team faces its toughest test of its Gold Cup group campaign when it takes on Honduras in RFK Stadium. Bob Bradley's side has had good success in the Washington D.C. venue -- most recently a 6-1 beatdown of Cuba in World Cup qualifying that saw Jose Francisco Torres see his first action in the Red, White, and Blue -- and should leave the U.S. capital with six points from two matches.
Same Teams, Different Faces Part One
These two squads faced off almost exactly a month ago, with the Stars and Stripes defeating the Catrachos 2-1 courtesy of Carlos Bocanegra's late goal. It was a vital victory for the U.S. squad, which came into the match reeling after a resounding defeat in Costa Rica. That team, however, shares little in common with the outfit that will play in RFK Stadium. Not a single member of the Starting XI that took the pitch in Chicago is even on the 23-man Gold Cup roster (although Conor Casey, Jonathan Bornstein, Jozy Altidore, and Ricardo Clark could be called in). Instead, Bob Bradley will turn to Stuart Holden and Robbie Rogers to pace the American attack as they did over the weekend and rely on Columbus Crew stalwart Chad Marshall to organize the U.S. defensive corps.
The Benny Shuffle
Benny Feilhaber, who replaced Pablo Mastroeni to start the second half of the teams' previous meeting and appeared in all five of the U.S.'s games during the Confederations Cup, will make the trip to D.C. His inclusion on the roster would seem to indicate that the midfielder will figure into the Starting XI. As of Monday morning, Bradley hadn't called any players beyond the original 23 but if he does, expect them to appear on the pitch at the opening kickoff as well. Clarence Goodson, who started at centerback with Chad Marshall, didn't train in the team's first D.C. session, so Jimmy Conrad could replace the IK Start defender against Honduras if need be. Elsewhere, I can see Luis Robles -- who made the trip to South Africa but didn't see a minute of action -- handling the duty between the pipes as Bradley tries to get all his 'keepers some action.
Same Teams, Different Faces Part Two
Much like the U.S. roster, the Honduran squad vying to make its second-ever Gold Cup finals could be considered the country's B-team. Absent are Amado Guevara, Wilson Palacios, and David Suazo. Carlos Costly, who tallied the only score against Haiti, will have to shoulder the scoring load but he'll have a tough time getting through the stout U.S. backline. Second-choice keeper Donis Salatiel Escober will likely be under siege constantly by the U.S.'s high-powered offense and will need to play perfectly to give the Catrachos a chance for the upset.
Goal.com Prediction: United States 2-Honduras 1
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
Four days after defeating an overmatched squad from Grenada by a margin of four goals, the United States Men's National Team faces its toughest test of its Gold Cup group campaign when it takes on Honduras in RFK Stadium. Bob Bradley's side has had good success in the Washington D.C. venue -- most recently a 6-1 beatdown of Cuba in World Cup qualifying that saw Jose Francisco Torres see his first action in the Red, White, and Blue -- and should leave the U.S. capital with six points from two matches.
Same Teams, Different Faces Part One
These two squads faced off almost exactly a month ago, with the Stars and Stripes defeating the Catrachos 2-1 courtesy of Carlos Bocanegra's late goal. It was a vital victory for the U.S. squad, which came into the match reeling after a resounding defeat in Costa Rica. That team, however, shares little in common with the outfit that will play in RFK Stadium. Not a single member of the Starting XI that took the pitch in Chicago is even on the 23-man Gold Cup roster (although Conor Casey, Jonathan Bornstein, Jozy Altidore, and Ricardo Clark could be called in). Instead, Bob Bradley will turn to Stuart Holden and Robbie Rogers to pace the American attack as they did over the weekend and rely on Columbus Crew stalwart Chad Marshall to organize the U.S. defensive corps.
The Benny Shuffle
Benny Feilhaber, who replaced Pablo Mastroeni to start the second half of the teams' previous meeting and appeared in all five of the U.S.'s games during the Confederations Cup, will make the trip to D.C. His inclusion on the roster would seem to indicate that the midfielder will figure into the Starting XI. As of Monday morning, Bradley hadn't called any players beyond the original 23 but if he does, expect them to appear on the pitch at the opening kickoff as well. Clarence Goodson, who started at centerback with Chad Marshall, didn't train in the team's first D.C. session, so Jimmy Conrad could replace the IK Start defender against Honduras if need be. Elsewhere, I can see Luis Robles -- who made the trip to South Africa but didn't see a minute of action -- handling the duty between the pipes as Bradley tries to get all his 'keepers some action.
Same Teams, Different Faces Part Two
Much like the U.S. roster, the Honduran squad vying to make its second-ever Gold Cup finals could be considered the country's B-team. Absent are Amado Guevara, Wilson Palacios, and David Suazo. Carlos Costly, who tallied the only score against Haiti, will have to shoulder the scoring load but he'll have a tough time getting through the stout U.S. backline. Second-choice keeper Donis Salatiel Escober will likely be under siege constantly by the U.S.'s high-powered offense and will need to play perfectly to give the Catrachos a chance for the upset.
Projected U.S. Line Up
---------------------Robles------------------
Cherundolo--Conrad--Marshall--Pearce
Holden--Beckerman--Feilhaber--Rogers
---------------------Adu---------------------
----------------------Davies-----------------
Projected Honduras Line Up
-----------------------Escobar-----------------------
Norales--Chavez--Medina--Palacios--Acevedo
Costly------------Valladares-------------Espinoza
----------------Martinez----------Lalin--------------
---------------------Robles------------------
Cherundolo--Conrad--Marshall--Pearce
Holden--Beckerman--Feilhaber--Rogers
---------------------Adu---------------------
----------------------Davies-----------------
Projected Honduras Line Up
-----------------------Escobar-----------------------
Norales--Chavez--Medina--Palacios--Acevedo
Costly------------Valladares-------------Espinoza
----------------Martinez----------Lalin--------------
Goal.com Prediction: United States 2-Honduras 1
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
Make Your Prediction
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 14.29 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.86 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.86 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.