Compelling Soccer

CONCACAF Qualifying

Honduras: 3rd in Group, 13 Pts, +6 GD

United States: 1st in Group, 16 Pts, +5 GD

Stakes: The are but two games remaining in World Cup qualification and while both of these teams are locks to make the top four, neither wishes to end up in that 4th spot. Why? That spot will result in a playoff with a team from South America, most likely Argentina. In other words, you can forget the World Cup. A win for the US means qualification. A loss means it will likely be time for a do or die battle with Costa Rica for the third spot. Honduras is closer to the brink; a loss to the US would not only likely put them behind Costa Rica and into fourth, but also take away the incentive the US has to play it's top unit on Wednesday against Costa Rica.

Costa Rica could make things meaningless for the US if they were to lose to Trinidad and Tobago. Odds are at the Saprissa, that doesn't happen, even as badly as they've played lately. If it does, they don't deserve to make the World Cup.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: Lots of people are on the Honduras bandwagon because they're home due to their midfield. Wilson Palacios and Hendry Thomas are both Premiership players as is defender Maynor Figerora. The two midfielders give the Honduran side two more top flight midfielders than the US has. We hear so much about how players like Stuart Holden and Landon Donovan shouldn't be automatically denigrated because they are MLS players. Here's a chance to show it.

Even with those players though; this side should be a notch below the US. They're better than El Salvador or Trinidad, but Mexico outclassed them in their last meeting. A win here would help the US establish itself as a second tier International side, rather than languishing on a level below.

Questions I Have: Conventional wisdom of the US side has always been to be happy with a point in these tough road contests. However a draw is only useful if Costa Rica draws as well; otherwise the game Wednesday will still decide the US' fate. Going all out for the three points seems to be the right play; will Bob Bradley actually do that? Or will we see more of the same ultra defensive soccer that was the hallmark of lesser US squads. Remember, you can hype Honduras all you want about being the best squad they've assembled, but they aren't going to be mistaken for Spain, Brazil, England or even Mexico any time soon.

Who starts for Clint Dempsey? Stuart Holden and Benny Feilhaber seem to be the likely choices. This is Holden's big opportunity. If he flubs it, he could move behind Feilhaber and Jose Francisco Torres on the pecking order. It could also hurt him as he searches for a new club once the MLS season finishes. If he succeeds, he won't supplant Dempsey, but he has a chance to see significant time, maybe over Ricardo Clark, in the future.

Does Jonathan Bornstein play? If so, does he manage to not embarrass himself?

Will I Be Watching: Headed out in a few to do so.

Expectations: I keep writing I demand more, but I expect less. A loss is probably the end result. Hopefully the Soca Warriors do the US a big favor tonight.