9 for 9 in June?

A week after a thorough win over Panama, the US looks to continue its good run of form tonight in an important match against Honduras. I know that every the last two matches have also been labeled by the pundits as very important, but I can assure you that there is no hyperbole at play here. At this stage of World Cup qualifying every match is crucial and they only increase in importance as the hexagonal continues.

Honduras is currently clinging to fourth place, which would put them in a playoff with New Zealand for all the marbles. Honduras has Panama breathing down their neck and is within striking distance of Mexico and Costa Rica. The Hondurans will undoubtedly be doing all they can to get at least a point from this match. Honduras will no doubt look to their 2-1 win over the Americans in the opening game of the hexagonal as proof that they can pull out another three points.

Whatever Honduras tells themselves, tonight’s match will not be the same as the last time these teams met. The Honduras team that enters the field tonight will be one that has been depleted by injuries, suspensions, and egos. Two players are out with injuries, two are suspended, and one has left the team over a disagreement with coach Luis Suarez (no, not that Luis Suarez).

On the other end of the spectrum is the US. The US team will be at full strength with the exception of DaMarcus Beasley, who will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. Beasley’s likely replacement at left back seems to be Edgar Castillo. Graham Zusi will likely be back in the lineup to take his spot back from Eddie Johnson and Jermaine Jones should be available to resume his role at CM after missing the Panama match due to a mild concussion. Other than those three changes  I presume Klinsmann will stick with what has been successful recently.

The US should not be afraid to come into this game with confidence, but they also should not take a win for granted. Honduras still has dangerous players like Roger Espinoza and Mario Martinez who could give the US problems. Still, if the US show up to play and take care of their business, there is no reason they should not comfortably win. Doing so would put them in a place that would require an epic choke in order to not make the World Cup ( 16 points was good enough for third in 2006 and 2010 and the US still has a home fixture with cellar-dwelling Jamaica). Losing this match would not be at all apocalyptic for the US, but it would set off serious warning sirens. I don’t see that happening though. 2-0 USA.