The United States men’s national team’s bid to recover their 2018 World Cup hopes is off to a flying start.
As it stands, the 3-0 halftime lead provided by Sebastian Lletget, Michael Bradley, and Clint Dempsey has the Yanks up from sixth to fourth in the Hex table.
Sebastian Lletget scored a fifth minute goal to ease the tensions of the Avaya Stadium crowd in San Jose, though he’d leave the match with injury before the match was 20 minutes old.
Sloppy Honduran defending caused a turnover outside the 18, and Jozy Altidore played Christian Pulisic in on goal.
[ LIVE – Play-by-play via @USSoccer ]
Keeper Donis Escober got a piece of Pulisic’s shot, but no one followed Lletget to the back post and the ex-West Ham and current LA Galaxy man quickly put the Yanks up 1-0.
First World Cup qualifier, first #USMNT goal for the Bay Area kid, @SLletget! #USAvHON https://t.co/XtTmoK6sDf
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 25, 2017
Then it was the captain who doubled the lead, as Honduras inexplicably gave him the room to walk across the arc of the 18 to rip a shot across goal. 2-0.
Bradley: Nobody wants to tackle me?
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 25, 2017
Honduras: Nah we're good.
Bradley: #USAvHON #USMNT https://t.co/wr8hDW9IJy
It was Clint Dempsey’s turn in the 33rd minute, after an otherworldly scooped pass from Pulisic.
What. A. Pass. Kid.
Clint Dempsey sure looks healthy to us! And how about that pass by Christian Pulisic?😍#USMNT is rolling! #USAvHON https://t.co/sB2uNKoTJX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 25, 2017
LINEUP
USMNT: Howard; Villafana, Gonzalez, Brooks, Cameron; Bradley, Lletget (Bedoya, 18'), Nagbe; Pulisic, Dempsey, Altidore.
Goals: Lletget (5'), Bradley (27'), Dempsey (33')