U.S. National Team Ready For Another Tough Honduras Test

CHICAGO, Ill. - Playing Honduras for the second time in one tournament is both an advantage and a disadvantage according to the U.S. Men’s National Team. But regardless the clubs will take the pitch Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. ET in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Honduras is a team the USA has gotten to know very well in a month and a half. It’s also a team that may have a chip or two on its shoulder.

“Anytime you got a result against a team last time, it creates more intense conditions,” U.S. defender Heath Pearce said. “It’s the semifinals. When there’s something on the line, there’s a lot more at stake.”

The Americans are looking to win their third straight Gold Cup. The USA and Honduras met in the semifinals in 2005, and again the Americans posted a 2-1 win, knocking Los Catarachos out of the tournament.

“They’re a good team. They have provided difficult games for us,” U.S. forward Brian Ching said. “We expect them to be hungrier. It’s always challenging for us to come out with the same intensity in every match against the same team. This match will take even more intensity.”

Thursday the U.S. squad that takes the pitch will have a bit of a different look. It’s a young U.S. team, not the veterans who topped them in qualifying. And a few players have gone back to their club teams, but this young team still brings the heat.

“We’re excited for the game,” U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley said. “Honduras is an opponent we know well. Our guys are excited for the opportunity to play them again.”

Bradley said they have their work cut out for them, but his young squad should be able to handle the task.

“Honduras is a talented group,” Bradley said. “They’re athletic and have great individuals with quickness and discipline.

“We’re growing as a group. We had a feeling by the time we got to the knock out round, we’d be playing together well and excited for the challenge.”

Young team or not, the USA has gotten to the semifinals for the fifth straight Gold Cup. They won the title in 2005 and 2007, topping Panama (3-1 on PKs in 2005) and Mexico (2-1 in 2007). They lost in the semifinals in 2003 to Brazil. In the 2009 tournament, they’ve played together in four matches, posting a 3-0-1 record and outscoring opponents 10-3. It’s not bad for a bunch of rookies.

“When you deal with a young team, there are ups and downs,” Ching said. “What really matters is how the team gels. We’ve had good results for a young team. It shows determination.”

The winner of the semifinal will face either Mexico or Costa Rica on July 26th. Both clubs will present different challenges for the USA. Bradley said they welcome the challenge.

“Mexico and Costa Rica have played well in the tournament,” Bradley said. “I expect it will be a difficult game. We hope to advance to the final and face one of them.”

Lineup Notables

Michael Parkhurst is back, which Bradley said will be a key for the Americans. The loss of players back to their club teams stings a bit for the U.S. Men, which is why Bradley said they called in reinforcements.

“Parkhurst will play an important role for us,” Bradley said. “We needed him to give us some help on defense.”

Jimmy Conrad left the USA’s match Saturday night after a mid-air collision left him bloodied and battered. Conrad was taken to a local hospital and treated for a concussion. While he has been training, the odds of him playing in Thursday’s match are slim.

“Jimmy will likely not be available for the match,” Bradley said. “Coming back from a concussion takes time.”

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was called into training camp to help the USA’s backline. After Luis Robles departed for club training in Germany it left an opening for another goalkeeper to step in. But Troy Perkins has been the go-to man for the U.S. Men in goal throughout the tournament, leading the USA to three wins:  4-0 over Grenada, 2-0 over Honduras and 2-1 over Panama.

“Jon Busch has been staying sharp this season,” Bradley said. “His experience will be important to us as a backup keeper. Troy will start.”

Heath’s Future

“Definitely it’s in the back of my mind,” Pearce said. “I’m starting to figure out what my options are going to be. Right now I’m focused on this tournament, and more importantly on tomorrow’s match. But there are definitely things in the works.”

Kathryn Knapp, Goal.com

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