New England Soccer Today

Opening Win


It was far from the prettiest of performances from the U.S. Men’s National Team to open the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the end result was three points as the U.S. beat Honduras 2-1 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Clint Dempsey scored on either side of halftime, but Honduras substitute Carlos Discua pulled one back in the 70th minute and the U.S. had to survive some late chances to get the win, giving them an early lead in Group A.

After some dodgy early moments from the U.S., the Americans got the breakthrough in the 25th minute. A U.S. corner couldn’t be cleared by Honduras and it came to Jozy Altidore in the right side of the box. From a tight angle, Altidore put a powerful shot on frame that goalkeeper Donis Escober made an impressive save, but the rebound fell right to Dempsey who headed it in for his 42nd career goal.

Six minutes later the U.S. came close to doubling their lead when Fabian Johnson played a perfect through ball to DeAndre Yedlin making a run down the middle. Yedlin got behind the defense and tried to slot a shot past Escobar, but the Honduran ‘keeper was quick of his line to narrow the angle and made the save.

While Honduras continued to cause the U.S. some problems in the second half, another set piece would double the U.S. lead in the 64th minute when Michael Bradley took a free kick from the left flank. Bradley sent an in-swinging cross into the box that Dempsey headed in to make it 2-0.

But Honduras wouldn’t go quietly and halved the deficit in the 70th minute when substitute Carlos Discua dribbled through the U.S. defense to get in on goal before hammering a shot past U.S. ‘keeper Brad Guzan.

Honduras came close to knotting the score in the 84th minute when Eddie Hernández got the ball with his back to goal at the top of the box and turned his defender. Hernández hit a shot towards the far post that was just wide.

The Central American side had one last chance to find an equalizer in stoppage time with a dangerous free kick, but the U.S. wall kept it out to assure the victory.

The U.S. will face Haiti on Friday at Gillette Stadium in the second game of the group stages.

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