Stadium Picture by Juice Groove Films

USMNT v Honduras

Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2017 Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras Time: 5:30pm ET TV: BeIN Sports, Telemundo & Universo Watch with your #AOFamily at one of 196 chapter locations!

THE HYPE

A rather disappointing 2-0 home loss to Costa Rica has once again put the United States in a somewhat precarious position in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. The USMNT looked dangerous early on, but gave up two garbage counter-attacking goals to Los Ticos in what is our 2^nd home loss in the Hex. Costa Rica did their part to slow down the US attack, and looked dangerous on the counter throughout the match. The result leaves Bruce Arena in another tough task of getting points what should be considered must-win games for the U.S. Winning at home in Orlando as well as away to T&T should give the U.S. the 14 points they need. Though a result on Tuesday away to Honduras could also be considered vital. 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONCACAF Final Round Standings TEAM GP W L D Pts. GF GA GD x-Mexico 7 5 0 2 17 10 2 +8 Costa Rica 7 4 1 2 14 11 4 +7 USA 7 2 3 2 8 11 10 +1 Honduras 7 2 3 2 8 8 15 -7 Panama 7 1 2 4 7 4 5 -1 Trinidad & Tobago 7 1 6 0 3 4 12 -8 Beating Honduras in San Pedro Sula will be no easy task. The USMNT is historically 3-1-1 against Los Catrachos, but Honduras has picked up their form over the last few years. Many US fans will remember the 2-1 defeat in the opening match of the Hex in preparation to the 2014 World Cup. The USMNT were lackluster having to deal with the heat, humidity and poor playing surface, which will likely be the case again on Tuesday. Honduras is still very much in hunt for Russia and will be throwing caution to the wind in order to get full points against the United States. The Honduras currently sit in the play-in position, and will be eager to get 3 points which would be a huge jump towards Russia. We do not partake in the play-in series. I repeat, we do not want to partake in the play-in series. Here are the teams: USMNT GK: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, Nick Rimando DEF: DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Hedges, Eric Lichaj, Tim Ream, Jorge Villafaña, Graham Zusi MID: Kellyn Acosta, Paul Arriola, Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson, Dax McCarty, Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic, Cristian Roldan FOR: Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, Chris Wondolowski, Bobby Wood Honduras GK: Ricardo Canales (Vida), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis López (Real España) DEF: Ever Alvarado (Olimpia), Bryan Beckeles (Necaxa/MEX), Felix Crisanto (Motagua), Henry Figueroa (Motagua), Maynor Figueroa (FC Dallas/USA), Emilio Izaguirre (Al-Fayha/KSA), Jhonny Leverón (Marathón), Jhonny Palacios (Olimpia), Carlos Sánchez (Honduras Progreso) MID: Bryan Acosta (Tenerife/ESP), Jorge Claros (Real España), Juan Ángel Delgado (Honduras Progreso) Carlos Discua (Motagua), Oscar Boniek García (Houston Dynamo/USA) Alexander López (Olimpia), Alfredo Mejía (Xanthi/GRE), Oliver Morazán (Olimpia), Esdras Padilla (Juticalpa) Sergio Peña (Real Sociedad) FOR: Carlo Costly (Olimpia), Alberth Elis (Houston Dynamo/USA), Eddie Hernández (Unattached) Ovidio Lanza (Juticalpa) Anthony Lozano (Barcelona B/ESP), Rony Martínez (Baoding Rongda/CHN), Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo/USA) Bruce Arena loses Jozy Altidore to yellow card accumulation, so you would have to think that Jmo & Deuce will play a bigger part in team selection alongside Bobby Wood. Tim Ream & Geoff Cameron will be disappointed in the goals conceded on Friday, will BA stick with this pairing? Or will Matt Besler and/or Omar Gonzalez step in? Fabian Johnson was a ghost, but who should replace him? Costa Rica did a great job of shutting down Christian Pulisic (by fouling him incessantly), but the USMNT will heavily rely on him to have a big game if they are to get three points. Alright, AO. The USMNT needs us now more than ever. It’s our job to give them the lift they need. So, get to your watch parties. Sing the songs. Show them that we have their backs. We love you. XOXO, AO