USMNT steals critical 1-1 draw in Honduras thanks to Bobby Wood

Scorching heat, a bad pitch, and a speedy opponent made things very difficult for the United States men’s national team on Tuesday, but it got the result it needed. Despite going down early and playing poorly for most of the game, the USMNT scored a late equalizer off a set piece to seal a 1-1 draw and solidify its standing in World Cup qualifying.

The USMNT got off to a decent start in the first half, with Christian Pulisic, Darlington Nagbe and Jordan Morris threatening the Honduras defense on their runs forward. However, those runs failed to produce a threatening shot on target, and Honduras got better at timing its counter attacks as the half wore on. And in the 27th minute, Los Catrachos punished the American defense.

Alexander Lopez picked up the ball with no pressure on him in midfield and played an excellent through ball towards Romell Quioto. Omar Gonzalez should have been able to get a touch on the ball but whiffed and allowed it to fall to the Honduran attacker, who placed a classy finish past Brad Guzan.

Pulisic and Morris produced the USMNT’s best attack in the 41st minute when they played a one-two exchange on the top of the box, but Pulisic was denied from close range by Luis Lopez. Honduras nearly scored just before the break through a free kick by Maynor Figueroa, but Guzan pushed his powerful effort over the bar.

Both coaches made changes just after the hour mark, though quite different ones. Honduras went for fresh legs and hold-up play, bringing in Oscar Boniek Garcia and Carlo Costly for Quioto and Alexander Lopez. The Americans opted for a system overhaul, taking off both starting fullbacks in favor of Geoff Cameron and Paul Arriola, switching to a back three. The change didn’t pay early dividends for the Americans, and Bruce Arena made his final change in the 73rd minute, subbing on Bobby Wood for Nagbe.

Anthony Lozano had two chances to finish off the Americans in the 77th minute, but couldn’t capitalize. He put a weak shot into the arms of Guzan at the end of a four-on-two break for the first chance, then shot wide after winning a footrace with Michael Bradley during his second chance a minute later.

With the Americans looking sluggish, manager Jorge Luis Pinto decided one goal was enough for his team and made a defensive change, bringing on Johnny Palacios for Lozano. Unfortunately for him, that turned out to be a miscalculation.

In the 85th minute, Kellyn Acosta smashed a free kick towards goal that was saved brilliantly by Luis Lopez, but his defense didn’t give him any help. The Americans won the race to the rebound, and Morris flicked the ball onto Wood, who smashed the equalizer into the back of the net from eight yards.

The USMNT will not look back on this as a good performance, but the result is the one it needed. A point means the Americans keep their advantage over Honduras in the standings, and they know that two wins from their final two games will see them qualify for the World Cup.

United States: Guzan, Beasley (Arriola 62’), Besler, Gonzalez, Zusi (Cameron 63’), Pulisic, Acosta, Bradley, Nagbe (Wood 73’), Dempsey, Morris

Goals: Wood (85’)

Honduras: Lopez; Figueroa, Alvarado, Figueroa, Beckeles, Lopez (Costly 64’), Meija, Claros, Elis, Quioto (Boniek Garcia 66’), Lozano (Palacios 83’)

Goals: Quioto (27’)

Graham Zusi was criticized for his play against Costa Rica, and he wasn’t any better against Honduras. Bruce Arena switched out his other fullback — bringing in the experienced DaMarcus Beasley for Jorge Villafaña — but that might have been a mistake. Neither player was fast enough to deal with speedsters Quioto and Alberth Elis, who ran past the American fullbacks repeatedly. With quicker fullbacks, the Americans might have been able to control the match. In the second half, needing a goal, Arena decided he was best off switching to a back three and taking off both players, which was a reflection of their ineffectiveness.

Between the fantastic fans, the extra-long grass and the 95 degree temperature, Honduras entered this match with an advantage. That’s not anything out of the ordinary — every team has something helping it at home, and the U.S. knew what it was getting into — but Los Catrachos made full use of the comforts of San Pedro Sula. The Americans struggled to respond when they went behind, didn’t adjust to the unusual grass, and looked worn down by the heat.

With a draw in this game, the Americans are now in complete control of their own World Cup destiny. They never looked like scoring until they actually scored and their defense looked sloppy, but a draw is a great result for them and a devastating one for Honduras. Wins over Panama and Trinidad and Tobago in October will send the USMNT to the World Cup, and given Honduras’ schedule, that might not even be required. Los Catrachos go to Costa Rica on Oct. 5, then host Mexico on Oct. 10.