A first half goal by Clint Dempsey lifted the USA to a 1-0 win over Honduras on Saturday.
The game produced the first victory for USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann in his fourth attempt.
Things started slowly for the home side, and Honduras had the first goal scoring chance when Jerry Bengston raced clear but could not beat USA goalkeeper Tim Howard. Honduras continued to threaten, and in the 26th minute Howard saved well from Carlos Costly.
The USA responded well and took the lead nine minutes before half-time when Dempsey fired home from Brek Shea’s deflected cross.
After the interval Honduras pushed for an equalizer but were denied when Howard blocked a 52nd minute effort from Boniek Garcia.
Dempsey tried to double his tally for the night, but his shot from distance was saved by Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar. USA defender Oguchi Onyewu was first to the rebound but fired his effort well over the crossbar.
With only six minutes remaining Dempsey planted a header into the back of the net but the effort was ruled out for offside.
LINEUPS
USA – Howard, Cherundolo, Orozco Fiscal (Onyewu), Bocanegra, Chandler (Spector), Beckerman, Williams (Beasley), Edu (Bradley), Shea, Dempsey, Altidore (Agudelo).
HON – Escobar, Sabillon, Chavez, Figueroa, Leveron, de Leon (Martinez), Mejia), Garcia (Chavez), Espinoza (Claros), Bengston (Rojas), Costly.
SCORING SUMMARY
USA – Clint Dempsey (Brek Shea) 36’
Things started slowly for the home side, and Honduras had the first goal scoring chance when Jerry Bengston raced clear but could not beat USA goalkeeper Tim Howard. Honduras continued to threaten, and in the 26th minute Howard saved well from Carlos Costly.
The USA responded well and took the lead nine minutes before half-time when Dempsey fired home from Brek Shea’s deflected cross.
After the interval Honduras pushed for an equalizer but were denied when Howard blocked a 52nd minute effort from Boniek Garcia.
Dempsey tried to double his tally for the night, but his shot from distance was saved by Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar. USA defender Oguchi Onyewu was first to the rebound but fired his effort well over the crossbar.
With only six minutes remaining Dempsey planted a header into the back of the net but the effort was ruled out for offside.
LINEUPS
USA – Howard, Cherundolo, Orozco Fiscal (Onyewu), Bocanegra, Chandler (Spector), Beckerman, Williams (Beasley), Edu (Bradley), Shea, Dempsey, Altidore (Agudelo).
HON – Escobar, Sabillon, Chavez, Figueroa, Leveron, de Leon (Martinez), Mejia), Garcia (Chavez), Espinoza (Claros), Bengston (Rojas), Costly.
SCORING SUMMARY
USA – Clint Dempsey (Brek Shea) 36’
