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Breakthrough Late goal lifts U.S. past Honduras in World Cup qualifier
Updated: Thursday March 29, 2001 2:52 AM
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AP) -- This time, the United States won with a late goal in Central America. Clint Mathis curled a 22-yard free kick around a defensive wall and just inside the post with four minutes left as the United States beat Honduras 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday despite missing four injured starters. "I was practicing (on Tuesday) from the very same spot from which I scored tonight," Mathis said. He said he could not even see the goalkeeper when he shot, "but I knew where I wanted to put the ball." Also Wednesday, Costa Rica beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Earnie Stewart, celebrating his 32nd birthday, scored on a deflected 35yard shot in the first half, but U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel was beaten by Julio Cesar de Leon's 32-meter (yard) shot early in the second half. After Chris Armas was fouled, Mathis scored the go-ahead goal with a tremendous bending shot over a five-man wall. The Americans had been 0-4-3 in qualifiers in Central America since September 1989, giving up late goals in a 1-1 tie at Guatemala last summer and a 2-1 loss at Costa Rica. This time, the United States had to hang on while a man short in injury time after Cobi Jones was ejected in the 90th minute. "We expected Honduras to come at us with everything," coach Bruce Arena said. "We were not surprised at the kind of pressure we saw. It was a good game for us." After two games in the finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, the United States (2-0) is in first place with six points, followed by Costa Rica (1-1-0) with four points and Mexico and Jamaica (each 1-1) with three. Honduras (0-1-0) has one point and Trinidad and Tobago (0-0-2) has none. Each nation plays 10 games. The top three qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan. Stewart scored a surprising goal in the 33rd minute, taking a pass from Mathis and lofting a long shot that deflected slightly off defender Jose Reynaldo Clavasquin, who was just a few meters (yards) from him, and sailed under the crossbar. Goalkeeper Noel Valladares hardly moved. Honduras, which hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 1982, came back with a long shot of its own. De Leon, who entered the game at halftime and is nicknamed "Rambo," took a hard left-footed shot that boomed into the far upper corner, leaving Friedel no chance. Friedel, who blanked Mexico in the opener on Feb. 28, made several key saves. Kasey Keller, who is considered the top U.S. goalkeeper, also came back from Europe for the game and the decision by Arena to start Friedel was somewhat of a surprise. LineupsUnited States: Brad Friedel; David Regis, Jeff Agoos, Carlos Llamosa,Steve Cherundolo; Chris Armas, Clint Mathis (Gregg Berhalter, 89th), Tony Sanneh, Earnie Stewart; Josh Wolff (Chris Albright, 67th), Ante Razov (Cobi Jones, 71st). Honduras: Noel Valladares; Samuel Caballero, Nimrod Medina, Reynaldo Clavasquin (Julio Cesar de Leon, 46th), Ivan Guerrero; Jose Luis Pineda (Maynor Suazo, 79th), Christian Santamaria (Jairo Martinez, 76th), Milton Reyes, Amado Guevara; Milton Nunez, Carlos Pavon.
Referee: Fredy Burgos, Guatemala. Linesmen-Erick Alvarez, Guatemala; Edgar Arnulfo Gonzalez, Guatemala. Attendance: 42,000 (est.).
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