Each week during the MLS season, the MLSsoccer.com editors share their picks ahead of league matches. This time, they take a crack at Wednesday's Gold Cup semifinal match between the United States and Honduras at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (7 pm ET, Fox Soccer/Univision Deportes/UniMas, Live chat on MLSsoccer.com).
Disagree? Make your voice heard in the comment section below!
USMNT vs. Honduras | Gold Cup Match Preview
Nick Rimando, US defense on alert ahead of semi vs. ambitious Honduras
Omar Gonzalez eager to close book on flub vs. Honduras in front of hometown crowd
Streaking USMNT not about to let form go to their heads vs. Honduras
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
Honduras have not been impressive this tournament. They scraped by Costa Rica, and they really lack any attacking initiative. So unless someone on the US side makes a ghastly error, this one is there for the Yanks. |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>3-1</strong></p> |
<p>My head tells me to be wary of a letdown, but my heart is enjoying the American attack too much ... and this Honduras "B" team hasn't impressed me. That said, I think they'll get one on the counter. But that won't ruin the US' road to Chicago.</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Editor FutbolMLS.com</span></em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>3-1</strong></p> |
<p>Honduras might want to spoil the party, but the US' momentum is just unbeatable. The USMNT have established themselves as the giants of CONCACAF in this Gold Cup – a team that delights their fans in every game and trashes its opponents in every win – and this game will not be the exception. They are a solid team collectively while Honduras have been rotating their lineup too much and relying on individuals to solve games in a dramatic way throughout the tournament.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>Honduras are going to bunker just like El Salvador tried to, and they're going to be better at it. The US — really, LD — will still find a way to crack 'em open.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
It won't be a perfect performance, but it will be enough. Honduras will follow the same basic blueprint others have employed against the Americans in this tournament, but they'll be a more potent foe. Not potent enough, though. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>Honduras, though a good team, have shown throughout this tournament that they can be opened up, and the US will do just that. On the defensive side of things, the first-string center back pairing of Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler should keep things quiet against a Catrachos attack missing some of its first-choice forwards.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>The Besler-Gonzalez train is back on the tracks and it's headed to Chicago. I expect the game to be tight and the US to add an insurance goal late on the counter, but the defense will keep Honduras at bay. In the end, it comes down to the hotter team creating more chances and eventually putting one or two away.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Pinzon_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong></p> |
<p>Even though Luis Fernando Suárez is eager to spoil the party, this US side is feeling confident, and Jurgen knows what to expect from Honduras. Omar Gonzalez could be an important added factor to hold the Catrachos, but he needs to be the man we saw at the Azteca once again, and not the one in San Pedro Sula. Landon pulls another magic night, and Wondo jumps into the lead on the goalscoring table.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/index.jpg" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><br><strong>1-0</strong></p> |
<p>A carbon copy of the Costa Rica match: tight, tactical affair with a game-deciding play going in favor of the USA. The Americans' "B" team is better than the Honduras reserve squad with the players capable of making a difference.</p> |
