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It’s gut check time for the United States Men’s National Team. They travel to San Pedro Sula to take on Honduras tomorrow night, and the USMNT needs to desperately come away with 3 points in that match to conclude their first window of World Cup qualifying. A win will help calm the nerves of fans and still have the team in a good position in the table. A draw or loss and the pressure only mounts for head coach Gregg Berhalter and the players.
Latest Form
USA
D (1-1) - Canada - World Cup Qualifying
D (0-0) - El Salvador - World Cup Qualifying
W (1-0) - Mexico - Gold Cup Final
W (1-0) - Qatar - Gold Cup Semifinals
W (1-0) - Jamaica - Gold Cup Quarterfinals
Honduras
D (0-0) - El Salvador - World Cup Qualifying
D (1-1) - Canada - World Cup Qualifying
L (0-3) - Mexico - Gold Cup Quarterfinals
L (0-2) - Qatar - Gold Cup Group D
W (3-2) - Panama - Gold Cup Group D
What To Watch For
Urgency. The team has to play with urgency. We haven’t seen that yet in this window, but it’s imperative that they show something against Los Catrachos. The USMNT cannot back down from the intensity and they have to play with drive. Fans demand that, and they're right to do so.
Execution. Inside the attacking third, the execution just hasn’t been present, with 1 goal through the first 2 matches despite plenty of scoring chances. Their set pieces need to improve and finding open players in the box needs to be a priority.
Heart. Desire…the USMNT needs to show it. Have they played hard so far in this window? Sure. But, the fans want the team to play with heart and desire and tenacity. The team has to want it too. Go into San Pedro Sula with the determination to get the job done and leave with the win. Can they do it?
Lineup Prediction
With some guys out due to injury and team violations, it makes it difficult to predict who Berhalter will trust on the field. In the end, he goes with a lineup of some of his veterans.
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Matt Turner once again gets the start in goal, with John Brooks and Tim Ream as his center back pairing in front of him. Antonee Robinson and DeAndre Yedlin are the fullbacks.
Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta, and Sebastian Lletget make up the midfield core to provide some grit. Cristian Roldan could come on for some creative options later in the match.
Up front, Josh Sargent once again gets the nod, but don’t be surprised to see Ricardo Pepi make his debut at some point. Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson occupy the wings, with Aaronson moving into a central role as the match goes on.
Prediction
3 points are a must in Honduras, and the USMNT throw everything at Honduras to get goals. Unfortunately, they score one, but it’s another 1-1 draw, building the pressure even further.