Both Group B heavyweights showed why they wear that label on Friday evening, as Honduras and Mexico posted a pair of dominant wins in CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers at the Home Depot Center over Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
The Catrachos got the night started with a comprehensive 3-1 win over a game Panama team. Eddie Hernández got it going in the 19th minute for Honduras, converting a pass from Hilder Colón for the 1-0 lead.
Mario Morales got the second of the night just seconds after the start of the second half, slotting home a feed from José Mendoza. Panama pulled one back through substitute Yairo Yau in the 54th, but Honduras held on and eventually applied the coup de grace in the 86th via Alexander López.
D.C. United's Andy Najar started and went 60 minutes before coming off for López, while FC Dallas left back Carlos Rodríguez went the distance for the Panamanians.
In the nightcap, El Tri put on a dominant display, pummeling Trinidad and Tobago 7-1.
Mexico were paced by rising star Marco Fabián, who produced a hat trick on the night. They also got goals from Alan Pulido, Javier Cortés, Diego Reyes and Israel Jiménez. American-born Miguel Ángel Ponce got the start and went 73 minutes in midfield.
T&T's lone goal came in the 87th minute after the Mexican defense watched a cross fall to Kevin Molino, who obliged them by spoiling the shutout.
All four teams are back in action on Sunday. Panama face Trinidad at 4:30 pm ET, while Honduras and Mexico have their showdown at 7 pm ET. The top two teams in the group advance to the semifinals at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
