The 2015 Gold Cup had a three-point start for the USMNT, but their road to earn their first win wasn't as easy as they thought. The Stars & Stripes were able to get a two-goal lead, but Honduras fought bravely and came close to equalizing the game during the final minutes.
Clint Dempsey was the American hero for the day, scoring a brace for Jurgen Klinsmann's side. Shortly after the "Dos a cero" chants came down from the stands, substitute Carlos Discua made it 2-1, giving Los Catrachos some hope towards the end of the game. Nevertheless, Brad Guzan and his defense were able to keep their goal intact during the final minutes.
This was the thirteenth consecutive win for the USMNT in a Gold Cup opener. The Americans have never lost the first match of the competition, and their chances of winning the group are quite promising, given that Panama and Haiti drew their match earlier today. On the other hand, Honduras was no pushover, and they will surely be one tough nut to crack for Panama and the Haitians.
Michael Bradley entered the USMNT's record books, after earning his 100th cap with the team, while Clint Dempsey scored his fourth brace for the Americans. His last game scoring two goals came on June 2, 2013 against Germany.
Have a look at what fans and experts had to say about the USMNT's debut in the 2015 Gold Cup.
DEMPSEYYYYYY #USMNT pic.twitter.com/ohV8WKVeMT
— Thunder Obsessed (@ThunderObsessed) July 8, 2015
Dempsey is right now
— SOCCER.COM (@soccerdotcom) July 8, 2015
"More goals for a CONCACAF country"
Más goles para países de CONCACAF 70 Stern John 57 Landon Donovan, Carlos Ruiz y Pavón 47 Rolando Fonseca 46 Borgetti 45 Wanchope 42 DEMPSEY
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) July 8, 2015
Three points is three points. Don't care how. #USMNT
— Ryan (@mcnaulty21) July 8, 2015
Clint Dempsey's first goal
Clint Dempsey. 1-0 USA https://t.co/9z8SyVixwB
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) July 8, 2015
Dempsey does it again.
CLINT DEMPSEY DOES IT AGAIN: https://t.co/0WW4r3Tw24
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 8, 2015
Clint Dempsey has still scored in 100% of games since ripping up a referee's notebook
— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) July 8, 2015
Dempsey is the man! Great way to start The Gold Cup #USMNT pic.twitter.com/SqXcXbs2Os
— The Soccer Life (@TheSoccerLifee) July 8, 2015
3 points is only thing that matters tonight but I can promise you every player in that locker room knows improvement is needed. #USMNT
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) July 8, 2015
Let’s check in on the #USMNT defense pic.twitter.com/4oaqw1CVP1
— Avinash Kunnath (@avinashkunnath) July 8, 2015