USA vs. Honduras, 2013 World Cup qualifying: Jermaine Jones expected to play

Jermaine Jones is expected to play on Tuesday when the United States takes on Honduras in a World Cup qualifier, a USSF spokesman told Jeffrey Carlisle. Jones was concussed in the Americans' win over Jamaica on June 7 and missed last week's win over Panama, but appears on track to play against the Catrachos as the U.S. tries to make it a perfect nine points from three World Cup qualifiers this summer.

Jones will be especially useful against a Honduras team that has been ravaged by injuries and suspensions, but mainly up ront and at the back, leaving the midfield nearly at full strength. Having Jones available to combat the Catrachos in the center will be a bonus, and doubly so considering the fine form he was in before his injury that made him more than just a lively midfielder who could close opponents down, but also a tidy passer who helped open up the U.S. attack in tight spaces.

But Jones is hardly Jurgen Klinsmann's only option in the center. Geoff Cameron took Jones' place alongside Michael Bradley in the midfield against Panama and was spectacular so Jones may not walk into the starting lineup on Tuesday. Not with Cameron coming off such a fine match and not after a 10-day layoff, which may have left Jones a bit out of shape. Maybe Jones is better suited to a substitutes appearance against Honduras.

Whether he starts or not, the U.S. will be happy to have Jones available. There was some concern that his health was worse than let on when Klinsmann called Kyle Beckerman into the squad, but it appears as if that was just a way to get Beckerman some time with the U.S. team more so than needing cover for Jones. Especially with Graham Zusi back from suspension, which makes it unlikely that the Americans will need Sacha Kljestan out wide so he can be an option centrally, the U.S. has plenty of options in the middle now.