The United States started their 2010 schedule on a down note, losing 3-0 to Honduras in front of 18,626 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Clarence Goodson scored the USA's only goal in the 70th-minute.
Jimmy Conrad was sent off in the 18th minute for a second yellow after bringing down Jerry Palacios in the box. Pavon thought he converted the ensuing penalty, beating Troy Perkins with a strong shot. That attempt was called back by the referee after at least one Honduras player came off the line. Pavon took his second attempt the opposite way and scored. Palacios headed in a Pavon cross to make it 2-0 in the 37th-minute.
"It changed it quite a bit," US defender/midfielder Jonathan Bornstein told Fox Soccer Channel. "We had to play a man down from the 17th-minute on. Obviously, with that red card comes a PK and they go up 1-0. It's tough to fight back, especially a man down.... I thought we put in a lot of heart. The match just didn't go our way this time."
Robbie Rogers hit the post in the 50th-minute. Three minutes later, Roger Espinoza finished off a nice passing move in and around the US box with Honduras's third goal.
On the hour mark, US coach Bob Bradley substituted five players, including giving Orebro SK midfielder Alejandro Bedoya his first cap. Clarence Goodson got to a Brad Davis corner and headed it in for the US opener in the 70th minute.
"The starting point for the game in January is always assessing players," Bradley said. "Seeing them in a good game, a tough game, gives you the opportunity to find out what guys are all about. It gives you an indication as to where they might fit in as you move things forward. So we take a lot from it."
Match: United States vs. Honduras
Date: January 23, 2010
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT
Attendance: 18,626
Weather: Cool, clear – 55 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
HON 3 0 3
HON – Carlos Pavon (penalty kick) 19th minute
HON – Jerry Palacios (Carlos Pavon) 37
HON – Roger Espinoza (Jerry Palacios) 53
USA – Clarence Goodson (Brad Davis) 70
Lineups:
USA: 1-Troy Perkins; 12-Jonathan Bornstein, 15-Jimmy Conrad (capt.), 8-Chad Marshall (2-Heath Pearce, 61), 4-Marvell Wynne; 14-Robbie Rogers (6-Brad Davis, 61), 5-Benny Feilhaber (10-Dax McCarty, 77) 7-Kyle Beckerman (9-Conor Casey, 60), 16-Sacha Kljestan (20-Alejandro Bedoya, 61); 19-Jeff Cunningham (3-Clarence Goodson, 46), 17-Robbie Findley
Subs not used: 18-Nick Rimando
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
HON: 12-Donis Escober; 5-Erick Norales, 6-Johnny Palacios, 23-Mauricio Sabillon, 17-Roger Espinoza (7-Mariano Acevedo, 90); 19-Danilo Turcios, 20-Amado Guevara (capt.) (13-Melvin Valladares, 56), 21-Emilio Izaguirre, 15-Walter Martinez (14-Oscar Garcia, 68); 9-Carlos Pavon (25-Georgie Welcome, 78), 16-Jerry Palacios (10-Ramon Nunez, 61)
Subs not used: 1-Ricardo Canales, 2-Osman Chavez, 4-Carlos Palacios, 18-Noel Valladares
Head Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Stats Summary: USA / HON
Shots: 11 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 14 / 12
Offside: 0 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Jimmy Conrad (caution) 6th minute
HON – Jerry Palacios (caution) 9
USA – Jimmy Conrad (caution) 17
USA – Jimmy Conrad (sent off) 17
HON – Amado Guevara (caution) 50
Officials:
Referee: Benito Archundia (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Marvin Torrentera (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Antonio Lopez (MEX)
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo (USA)
We could say a lot about that Yank team from last night. The US midfield was a joke and I can for the world understand what Bradley sees in Wynne. He acts as if the guy is magically going to morph into an international level player, can’t even make the MLS all-star team.
As for Honduras, one should realize that they had two Americans on the field for almost 30 minutes. I’m talking about Ramon Nunez the former FC Dallas and Chivas USA, he just was not the kind of midfielder an MLS coach wants. So went to his roots in Honduras showed well with a team down there then got a transfer to Puebla in Mexico then transfer last year to Cruz Azul. A MLS reject is not playing serious minutes on a top Mexican club and playing for another country. Then take Espinoza, a US college soccer product for the KC Wizards how did he end up playing for Honduras? My point is that the US really needs to do a better job talent the Latin talent pool. They need to understand its a lot bigger then just Mexican Americans.
In reference to eric…I do wonder what hppened to Torres. Did he make a bad impression at camp? Was he upset with lack of playing time and walk away? I thought the times he was on the field, which i think was once haha, he looked dangerous and promising.
that US team last night looked woeful! I know it was an MLS squad going against the team Honduras will take the WC but wow.
Torres would have been helpful last night. Benny F really needed someone to work with in the midfield. I really think those two could do some damage together but Bradley refuses to have those two in a game at the same time.
Its interesting that neither Torres or Castillo played for the US but both players started yesterday for their respective Mexican clubs. The fact that the game was not on an international date may have had something to do with them not being there. I would be worried if there at or in El Salvador match next month.