Honduran Test for US in January

The United States will conclude its annual January training camp at The Home Depot Center with a match against CONCACAF foe and fellow World Cup finalist Honduras on Jan. 23 at 6 pm PT.

“Obviously we know the quality of the Honduran team very well and we think the match is a great way to start the year as we commence preparations for the World Cup,” said USA head coach Bob Bradley. “With both teams working toward finalizing their rosters for South Africa, we expect it will be a very competitive game.”

After a busy 2009 that saw the USA team advance to its first FIFA Tournament Final in the FIFA Confederations Cup as well as finish top of CONCACAF in World Cup qualifying, the match against Honduras will provide a stern if familiar test for the United States.

The USA faced Honduras four times in 2009 and earned a record of 4-0-0 against the Central American nation. The four matches tied a record for number of matches against one nation in a year for the USA, matching 1973 when the USA faced Poland four times.

The USA fared well in the two qualification matches against Honduras. They came from behind to win 2-1 at Soldier Field on June 6 and then also came from behind to win 3-2 in San Pedro Sula on Oct. 10, a win that secured their place in the World Cup for the Americans.
Honduras qualified with a 1-0 victory against El Salvador coupled with USA assistance from a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica on the final day of qualifying. Reinaldo Rueda’s team has been drawn into Group H with Spain, Switzerland and Chile.