U.S./Honduras will be felt near and far
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
July 8, 2009
Local players, global issues playing a role
Local intrigue was supposed to be the dominant story line for Wednesday's CONCACAF Gold Cup match between the United States and Honduras, with seven players on the U.S. roster boasting some kind of Washington-area connection.
But international developments will be hard to ignore, as the Hondurans try to keep political instability at home off their minds, a task made difficult with ousted president Manuel Zelaya in Washington on Tuesday to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"You have to feel for them," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "Obviously, we all see pictures and read accounts. I'm sure it's on their minds. I think it's terrible what's going on there, and I'm sure it's a factor for all of them."
Meanwhile, the rematch of last month's 2-1 U.S. win in 2010 World Cup qualifying, and more famously, a 3-2 Honduras win at RFK in 2001 (in front of 54,000 fans), will feature some combination of current and former members of D.C. United (Santino Quaranta, Freddy Adu, Troy Perkins), a former Maryland Terrapin (Robbie Rogers), area locals Kyle Beckerman (Crofton, Md.) and Clarence Goodson (Alexandria), even a former United draft pick (Luis Robles). "This is like a dream come true," said Beckerman. "I remember coming [to RFK Stadium] as a young kid, coming to watch games here."
Goodson (knee contusion) is not expected to play.
In front of what should be a solidly pro-Honduran crowd, the U.S. can clinch advancement in Gold Cup group play with a victory with players hoping to impress Bradley enough to include them in his World Cup plans.
