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LISTEN: No matter whether you think it's a must-win or not, there's no doubt the stakes for the US national team's Friday night Hex match against Honduras are massive. The guys break down the Hex with Sebastian Lletget, get some inside info on Los Catrachos from a well-placed source and then turn to MLS to pass judgment on Bastian Schweinsteiger to the Fire and the open Real Salt Lake job. Subscribe so you don't miss a show!
SAN JOSE, Calif.—The US national team isn’t entirely limping into its crucial World Cup qualifier against Honduras on Friday (10:30pm ET | FS1, UniMás), but the absence of some key players has created a few extra nerves for fans concerned about a team still looking for its first points in the Hexagonal.
While the team is dealing with injury issues, one man at the center of it all doesn’t appear to breaking a sweat.
“We have to play the game, regardless of the injuries,” US head coach Bruce Arena told reporters on Thursday. “I’m very comfortable with our group of players, and it’s unfortunate that some are injured.”
Forward Bobby Wood, midfielder Fabian Johnson and defender DeAndre Yedlin are all out for the US, while midfielder Jermaine Jones is suspended for Friday’s contest. Striker Jordan Morris is questionable for Friday with an ankle injury and is “day-to-day” ahead of Tuesday’s match at Panama, per Arena, who will be coaching his first competitive games for the national team since taking over for Jurgen Klinsmann in November.
“Suspensions, injuries, and other issues are all going to be part of this competition throughout 2017,” he said. “So the last thing we are going to do is concern ourselves a whole lot with the players that are down.”
Where do the absences leave the US? Apparently without any questions as to what to do moving forward. In fact, Arena made it very clear that he’s already written in ink his lineup for Friday’s match at Avaya Stadium.
“I know who’s going to start tomorrow,” he said. “It’s 100 percent.”
Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who suffered an injury in the first game of the Hex — a 2-1 home defeat to Mexico — will more than likely get the nod after showing he is back to health following a pair of starts with the Colorado Rapids. The veteran earned his first international cap during Arena’s first stint as US head coach, and he is ready assume the mantle as on-field organizer against Honduras.
“They like to sit deep and open up space for their front runners, who have a lot of pace,” Howard said. “They are very capable technically of taking the ball and using that to their ability as well. We have an idea of what we think they’ll do, but we are ready to adapt as well.”
The identity of Howard’s back four is still a mystery, but former LA Galaxy man Omar Gonzalez and John Brooks could get the nod at center back. Defender Geoff Cameron, who plays at Stoke City in the English Premier League and thinks of himself more of a defensive midfielder, is ready to step in at right back for the US on Friday night.
“I’ve been playing against the best players in the world in the best league in the world,” said Cameron. “If Bruce needs me to play at right back, if he believes I can perform there and shut down one of their best players, then I’ll do it because it will help the team.”
At left back, Arena has not tipped his hand as to his starter, but has a pair of options in longtime USMNT member DaMarcus Beasley and the inexperienced senior international Jorge Villafaña.
Up top, Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore will probably leading the charge, with Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey a candidate to play in support. The two forwards have combined for six goals against Honduras in international play, and the US will look for them to hit the back of the net again on Friday as they aim to climb out of the bottom of the Hex standings.
Joining the attack will be midfield sensation Christian Pulisic, who has dazzled in his brief professional career at German club Borussia Dortmund. The 18-year-old scored his first UEFA Champions League goal earlier this month, and is already being pegged as the heir-apparent to the biggest star in USMNT history, Landon Donovan.
“He has all the tools to be a very good player, and I look forward to seeing how he reacts in these next two games,” Arena said. “He does remind me of Landon. But he has a long way to go before he gets to stand next to Landon.”
With a mixture of youth and experience, the US starting lineup will have its hands full with a resolute Honduras, but Arena is confident they’ll be ready. Given the stakes, the coach is keeping his message to the players simple.
“Win the game,” Pulisic said. “That’s it, just win.”
