USA-Hondouras: USA showed some real quality with this one, at least in the front. Two goals from surprise pick Conner Casey, and a 23 yard free kick from Landon Donoven ensured that the USA booked tickets to South Africa. The real meat of this story was the Conner Casey goals. Casey has appeared 14 times for the US national team, and this is the first game in which he scored. Casey was in for much of the match in the place of Hull City striker Jozy Altidore, who has appeared and scored regularly for the USA. Although Altidore is my favorite USA international, it makes sense to me that Bradley would pick Casey, a regular starter for the Colorado Rapids, over Altidore, a sometimes player for Hull. Casey showed his strength and power, when he absolutely decked the Honduran goal keeper in the fight for his goal scoring header.
In for the injured Clint Dempsy was Stuart Holden. I honestly have no idea how Dempsy continues to score since hes so dam slow, and it was refreshing to see Holden get a look, a player who I feel works much harder in his position then Dempsy does. Holden played a pretty solid game, but was called for a handball which lead to a thankfully missed penalty. Well see how Holden develops, hes certainly going to South Africa, but weather a sub or a starter is yet to be determined.
In the back Howard continued to show his quality as he mad a crucial reaction save to deny the Hondurans the equalizer. Onyewu had a few out of character mistakes, but made up for them late in the game with some quality slide tackles. Overall the US defense held their own when they were not making penalty drawing mistakes.
Overall, very glad to see the US can score 3 in a though atmosphere. I would like to see far less mistakes in the back, and maybe a little more possession play, but a solid performance in the end.
-MC
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