It was another early goal for the US national team – and another late equalizer from their opposition.
A set-piece goal by Honduras’ Maynor Figueroa answered a 10th-minute goal from Jozy Altidore, leading to a 1-1 draw in a friendly Tuesday night at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. The US were coming off another disappointing 1-1 tie Friday night against Ecuador.
It was a much sloppier game than US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann would have liked, especially after bringing in many of the squad’s mainstays as they fully transition into the 2018 cycle after Friday’s farewell to USMNT legend Landon Donovan.
Fielding a starting XI featuring Altidore and Clint Dempsey up top, Michael Bradley in midfield and Matt Besler at center back, with Jermaine Jones making his backline debut alongside him, and a handful of younger players such as Mix Diskerud, Greg Garza and Timothy Chandler, the US had more than their fair share of tenuous moments against a CONCACAF foe they’ve generally fared well against.
It was all roses early for the US, though.
They nearly struck in the eighth minute when a Honduras giveaway in midfield left Altidore all alone on the left wing. He played across to Dempsey, but the ball was a little too far behind the Sounders striker, who turned it just past the wrong side of the post.
But two minutes later, Altidore took it himself. A Diskerud takeaway led to a breakaway when Bradley played a perfect long ball forward to Altidore, who cut across the penalty area and sent a rocket inside the near post and Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escober.
Another Honduras turnover in the midfield sent Alejandro Bedoya charging down the left wing in the 21st minute, but his cross to an unmarked Dempsey in front of goal was cleared away.
After the Altidore goal, Honduras found a handful of chances with their direct style.
In the 13th minute, a Wilmer Crisanto cross found an open Alberth Elis in the box, but his header was high.
A poor pass from Nick Rimando – receiving his scheduled 90-minute outing as he battles with Brad Guzan to take over for Tim Howard in goal – in the 19th minute went straight to former D.C. United standout Andy Najar and led to a nervy moment before his attempt to catch the Real Salt Lake ‘keeper off his line with a quick chip shot sailed over the bar.
The US’s careless moments continued into the second half.
A giveaway in the midfield in the 54th minute led to an open Luis Garrido shot, but the Houston Dynamo midfielder sent it over the bar. Another Honduras break in the 56th minute sent Emilio Izaguirre charging down the left flank. He bested Jones to get off another open shot, but it too sailed high.
After the Figueroa's late equalizer off a free kick from former Sounders midfielder Mario Martinez, the US’s best chance to equalize came in the second minute of stoppage time from second-half substitute Bobby Wood on a feed from Alfredo Morales, but his shot was off target.
