The Hexagonal
United States vs. Honduras: 10 Quick Predictions
A victory means nine points in June and a clear—dare we say easy?—path to the 2014 World Cup. A loss would be hugely disappointing. We asked 10 pundits to predict Tuesday's U.S. vs. Honduras clash.
Korey Donahoo
President, American Outlaws
We started last week dreaming of nine points, and it feels really good to have that as a possibility (dare I say likelihood?) going into Utah. Our first three Hex games were all kind of odd and were difficult to draw many conclusions from, but we always knew this stretch of three winnable games would be where the rubber meets the road, and we have more than risen to the task. Part of me is worried that we will overlook Honduras on Tuesday, but a greater part of me thinks we have all the momentum, team chemistry, and skill to get past a very talented Honduran side. Noah Davis
Deputy Editor, American Soccer Now
The United States won't play as well as it did against Panama, but Jurgen Klinsmann's side doesn't need to in order to defeat a reeling Honduras squad that's about 45 minutes away from imploding on itself. Jermaine Jones will return from a concussion in dramatic fashion, scoring the opener. Omar Gonzalez gets the second and Jozy Altidore nabs the third for his fourth straight game with a goal. And no tallies for Honduras. 3-0. I've gotten my last two predictions correct, so this is basically gold. Phil Schoen
Commentator, beIN SPORT
This match means more to Honduras than it does to the U.S. A stumble against Costa Rica with the Bengtson-added turmoil, the Catrachos could be on the verge of imploding. Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have seemingly found their footing. Now they have to wear the mantle of favorites against a still dangerous but desperate opponent. At the top of the table, Klinsmann can take a risk and slot in some new faces to see how they fit. While consistency is important, so is depth. So guys like Castillo, Davis, Kljestan, Parkhurst, and Corona need to prove they’re ready if called upon. Luis Bueno
Freelance writer
The United States is playing perhaps its best soccer under Jurgen Klinsmann. Victories at Kingston and in Seattle over Panama have been nothing if not convincing and have set the stage for a perfect June run through qualifying. With a victory over Honduras, the U.S. would sit firmly atop the group and the federation could start looking at potential venues to set up their base in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. With such a strong run into this match and facing an undermanned Honduras side, the Americans will take the victory in a similar manner as they did a week ago in the Emerald City. United States 2, Honduras 0. Brian Sciaretta
ASN contributor and freelance writer
There is no question that the U.S. team has all the momentum right now heading into Salt Lake. With the return of Zusi and Jones along with a very pro U.S. crowd on hand, the U.S. should expect three points. Klinsmann has tough choices to make ahead of the game but it will be interesting to see how he juggles a healthy roster missing only Beasley. I’m looking for Fabian Johnson to continue to reinvigorate the attack and Jozy and Dempsey to dominate. Another strong performance and Michael Bradley will have staked his claim as the best midfielder in CONCACAF. It's his team now. U.S. 2, Honduras 1. Richard McGovern
Managing Editor, The Soccer Desk
With Honduras losing key players to injury and locker room dissent, Tuesday night should be a walk for the Yanks. Which means they’re bound to struggle. It’s a shame too, because an early lead would give Klinsmann a chance to give younger and fringe players like Terrence Boyd, Joe Corona, and Stuart Holden some useful time in a meaningful game. As it is, karma, fate, and cosmic balance all demand a close game. Call it 2-1 USA, with goals from Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, and a late Honduran marker to make the fans sweat a bit. Graham Ruthven
Freelance soccer writer
Whether by design or blind luck, the Americans now really seem to be rolling in the Hex. The win over Panama was comprehensive and comfortable, with Seattle proving a natural home for the USMNT. Perhaps the biggest plus point of this round of games has been the form of Jozy Altidore, who looks to be finally translating his club form with AZ into international goals. He’s finally becoming the cutting edge the USA has lacked for some time. As for the Honduras game, the US needs to take advantage of these games played in soccer hotbeds on home soil. I’d be surprised if a makeshift Honduras side takes anything from a red-hot Rio Tinto atmosphere. Prediction: USA 2-0 Honduras Josh Deaver
ASN contributor and soccer writer
No Bernardez, no Figueroa, no Boniek, and no Bengston. There is no excuse why the Americans shouldn't batter Los Catrachos on Tuesday night in Sandy. After the most complete performance of the Klinsmann-era against Panama in Seattle, the squad will be desperate for revenge on Honduras—a positive note to erase their languid performance at San Pedro Sula and likewise tide them over until the Hex continues in September. With another three points, the U.S could open as much as a 4-point lead at the top of the standings. It’s at home, it’s a must-win and, in the end, the Yanks should send the crowd home happy. 2-0 to the U.S. Daryl Grove
Co-Host, Total Soccer Show
Jurgen Klinsmann found a genie in a bottle after the defeat to Belgium, and has been rubbing it the right way. For the Honduras game, the Allemagne Aladdin has requested: One of those Michael Bradley volleys from the top of the box to finally go in, a fourth consecutive Josmer Volmy Altidore goal (this one an overhead kick from an Edgar Castillo overlapping run and cross), and, icing on the cake, Omar Gonzalez to remember how marking works AND to go MLS Cup 2012 all over a corner kick. 3-0 United States. John Godfrey
Editor in Chief, American Soccer Now
Does familiarity breed contempt? Or trips to Brazil? The United States men's soccer team has spent a month together now, and the guys have coalesced into a happy, hungry squad under Jurgen Klinsmann's Teutonic tutelage. A battered Honduran side shouldn't stand a chance, but if you really think that then you haven't been paying attention to the Hexagonal for the last few decades. This will be another brutal CONCACAF qualifier—but the team with the superior talent gets the nod (on the strength of at least two headed goals) and will win. U.S. 3, Honduras 1. OK, these are our predictions. We want to read yours. You have 100 words to work with. Go!
President, American Outlaws
We started last week dreaming of nine points, and it feels really good to have that as a possibility (dare I say likelihood?) going into Utah. Our first three Hex games were all kind of odd and were difficult to draw many conclusions from, but we always knew this stretch of three winnable games would be where the rubber meets the road, and we have more than risen to the task. Part of me is worried that we will overlook Honduras on Tuesday, but a greater part of me thinks we have all the momentum, team chemistry, and skill to get past a very talented Honduran side. Noah Davis
Deputy Editor, American Soccer Now
The United States won't play as well as it did against Panama, but Jurgen Klinsmann's side doesn't need to in order to defeat a reeling Honduras squad that's about 45 minutes away from imploding on itself. Jermaine Jones will return from a concussion in dramatic fashion, scoring the opener. Omar Gonzalez gets the second and Jozy Altidore nabs the third for his fourth straight game with a goal. And no tallies for Honduras. 3-0. I've gotten my last two predictions correct, so this is basically gold. Phil Schoen
Commentator, beIN SPORT
This match means more to Honduras than it does to the U.S. A stumble against Costa Rica with the Bengtson-added turmoil, the Catrachos could be on the verge of imploding. Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have seemingly found their footing. Now they have to wear the mantle of favorites against a still dangerous but desperate opponent. At the top of the table, Klinsmann can take a risk and slot in some new faces to see how they fit. While consistency is important, so is depth. So guys like Castillo, Davis, Kljestan, Parkhurst, and Corona need to prove they’re ready if called upon. Luis Bueno
Freelance writer
The United States is playing perhaps its best soccer under Jurgen Klinsmann. Victories at Kingston and in Seattle over Panama have been nothing if not convincing and have set the stage for a perfect June run through qualifying. With a victory over Honduras, the U.S. would sit firmly atop the group and the federation could start looking at potential venues to set up their base in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. With such a strong run into this match and facing an undermanned Honduras side, the Americans will take the victory in a similar manner as they did a week ago in the Emerald City. United States 2, Honduras 0. Brian Sciaretta
ASN contributor and freelance writer
There is no question that the U.S. team has all the momentum right now heading into Salt Lake. With the return of Zusi and Jones along with a very pro U.S. crowd on hand, the U.S. should expect three points. Klinsmann has tough choices to make ahead of the game but it will be interesting to see how he juggles a healthy roster missing only Beasley. I’m looking for Fabian Johnson to continue to reinvigorate the attack and Jozy and Dempsey to dominate. Another strong performance and Michael Bradley will have staked his claim as the best midfielder in CONCACAF. It's his team now. U.S. 2, Honduras 1. Richard McGovern
Managing Editor, The Soccer Desk
With Honduras losing key players to injury and locker room dissent, Tuesday night should be a walk for the Yanks. Which means they’re bound to struggle. It’s a shame too, because an early lead would give Klinsmann a chance to give younger and fringe players like Terrence Boyd, Joe Corona, and Stuart Holden some useful time in a meaningful game. As it is, karma, fate, and cosmic balance all demand a close game. Call it 2-1 USA, with goals from Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, and a late Honduran marker to make the fans sweat a bit. Graham Ruthven
Freelance soccer writer
Whether by design or blind luck, the Americans now really seem to be rolling in the Hex. The win over Panama was comprehensive and comfortable, with Seattle proving a natural home for the USMNT. Perhaps the biggest plus point of this round of games has been the form of Jozy Altidore, who looks to be finally translating his club form with AZ into international goals. He’s finally becoming the cutting edge the USA has lacked for some time. As for the Honduras game, the US needs to take advantage of these games played in soccer hotbeds on home soil. I’d be surprised if a makeshift Honduras side takes anything from a red-hot Rio Tinto atmosphere. Prediction: USA 2-0 Honduras Josh Deaver
ASN contributor and soccer writer
No Bernardez, no Figueroa, no Boniek, and no Bengston. There is no excuse why the Americans shouldn't batter Los Catrachos on Tuesday night in Sandy. After the most complete performance of the Klinsmann-era against Panama in Seattle, the squad will be desperate for revenge on Honduras—a positive note to erase their languid performance at San Pedro Sula and likewise tide them over until the Hex continues in September. With another three points, the U.S could open as much as a 4-point lead at the top of the standings. It’s at home, it’s a must-win and, in the end, the Yanks should send the crowd home happy. 2-0 to the U.S. Daryl Grove
Co-Host, Total Soccer Show
Jurgen Klinsmann found a genie in a bottle after the defeat to Belgium, and has been rubbing it the right way. For the Honduras game, the Allemagne Aladdin has requested: One of those Michael Bradley volleys from the top of the box to finally go in, a fourth consecutive Josmer Volmy Altidore goal (this one an overhead kick from an Edgar Castillo overlapping run and cross), and, icing on the cake, Omar Gonzalez to remember how marking works AND to go MLS Cup 2012 all over a corner kick. 3-0 United States. John Godfrey
Editor in Chief, American Soccer Now
Does familiarity breed contempt? Or trips to Brazil? The United States men's soccer team has spent a month together now, and the guys have coalesced into a happy, hungry squad under Jurgen Klinsmann's Teutonic tutelage. A battered Honduran side shouldn't stand a chance, but if you really think that then you haven't been paying attention to the Hexagonal for the last few decades. This will be another brutal CONCACAF qualifier—but the team with the superior talent gets the nod (on the strength of at least two headed goals) and will win. U.S. 3, Honduras 1. OK, these are our predictions. We want to read yours. You have 100 words to work with. Go!
