The stress on the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce has been rising with each match it doesn’t win in World Cup qualifying. It’ll be the identical story on Wednesday in opposition to Honduras, the place the Individuals haven’t received of their previous two qualifying visits (loss and draw) courting again to 2013.

The rising sense of alarm amongst U.S. followers has quite a bit to do with the 2018 World Cup qualifying debacle, which in the end noticed the U.S. workforce miss its first World Cup since 1986. A sluggish begin on that event doomed the Individuals. This time the USA has two attracts from its opening two matches (attracts vs. El Salvador and Canada), which is healthier than the 2 losses with which the USA opened qualifying 4 years in the past. And it’s not all gloom and doom: The USMNT is tied on two factors with three different groups and solely Mexico (6 factors) and Panama (4 factors) have extra factors.

“If I’m a fan, I’m not proud of two factors after two video games. I’m not. And I can perceive frustration. That’s utterly regular,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter stated within the pregame information convention. “However you must take a look at the large image. It is a marathon and never a dash.”

LIVE BLOG: Observe the Honduras vs. USMNT match because it occurs

Along with what has typically been an irregular taking part in floor and a hostile crowd, Honduras is prone to current the USA with the identical tactical challenges that Canada did in Sunday’s 1-1 draw: an organized block of 8-9 gamers that will likely be tough to penetrate. And people Honduran gamers will likely be rested sufficient to problem for each ball after the Catrachos made 9 lineup modifications in its Sunday match in opposition to El Salvador. “We all know it’s a tough protection to interrupt down,” Berhalter stated.

Honduras is also on two factors after two matches, however their two matches each got here on the street (in Canada and El Salvador). Their sport relies on being powerful to play in opposition to they usually’ll decide their moments to spring on the counter. Towards a U.S. workforce lacking a lot of gamers to damage and suspension, the Hondurans will likely be sensing that circumstances set up completely for a well-known house win that will give their World Cup qualifying bid a critical increase.

MORE: CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings & schedule

The right way to watch Honduras vs. USA

• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 8
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Spanish-language TV: Telemundo, Universo
• Stream: fuboTV, Paramount+

The match will likely be broadcast on Telemundo and Universo and each these channels might be streamed on fuboTV (free 7-day trial). Paramount+ additionally will carry the match.

The occasion will likely be held on the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, which will likely be bought out at 50 p.c capability (18,000 followers).

USA vs. Honduras: projected lineups

The USMNT has a listing of gamers who will miss the match, together with a handful of stars comparable to Gio Reyna (hamstring), Sergino Dest (ankle) and Weston McKennie (workforce violation). It signifies that Christian Pulisic could have an excellent greater bullseye on his again than ordinary. It’s an opportunity for the likes of Brenden Aaronson, who has already been one of many USA’s prime performers, or Konrad de la Fuente to step up.

Berhalter can doubtlessly go to a three-man backline (3-4-3) formation with James Sands in the midst of the opposite two middle backs, however that may not be ultimate for a central midfield that will likely be beneath intense stress. Whereas some gamers appear pretty locked in to their beginning spots, recent legs ought to be anticipated in others: De la Fuente at left wing? George Bello at left again? Walker Zimmerman or Mark McKenzie at middle again?

USMNT projected lineup (4-3-3, left to proper):  1-Matt Turner-GK — 21-George Bello, 12-Miles Robinson, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 22-DeAndre Yedlin — 23-Kellyn Acosta, 4-Tyler Adams, 17-Sebastian Lletget — 20-Konrad de la Fuente, 9-Josh Sargent, 10-Christian Pulisic

USMNT projected subs (12): 18-Ethan Horvath-GK, 8-Sean Johnson-GK, 5-Antonee Robinson, 16-James Sands, 13-Tim Ream, 15-Mark McKenzie, 6-John Brooks, 2-Jackson Yueill, 7-Cristian Roldan, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 14-Ricardo Pepi, 19-Jordan Pefok

Honduras head coach Fabian Coito made 9 modifications to his beginning lineup from the primary match in opposition to Canada to the second in opposition to El Salvador, presumably seeking to relaxation gamers for the house sport in opposition to the USA. One main absence is playmaker Alex Lopez, who scored the Catrachos’ solely purpose to this point on a penalty kick in opposition to Canada. He injured himself on that penalty and has already rejoined his membership workforce to start his restoration.

Honduras projected XI (4-4-2, left to proper): 22-Luis Lopez — 23-Diego Rodriguez, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 4-Marcelo Pereira, 17-Andy Najar — 10-Rigoberto Rivas, 15-Kervin Arriaga, 20-Deybi Flores, 8-Edwin Rodriguez — 13-Brayan Moya, 12-Romell Quioto

Honduras projected subs (12): 1-Edrick Menjivar-GK, 18-Marlon Licona-GK, 2-Felix Crisanto, 5-Danilo Acosta, 16-Johnny Leveron, 19-Jose Garcia, 6-Bryan Acosta, 7-Carlos Pineda, 14-Boniek Garcia, 21-Jonathan Toro, 9-Antony “Choco” Lozano, 11-Eddie Hernandez

USA vs. Honduras: Odds & prediction

Going into the match, the traditional considering is that there isn’t any method the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce can pull off a win in Honduras with out so a lot of its vital gamers. The vibe is that the workforce might be demoralized and emotionally drained by its first two matches, the accidents and the McKennie saga. However the oddsmakers say in another way they usually’re in all probability proper.

So long as Christian Pulisic is on the sphere, this U.S. workforce has the weapons to provide Honduras a troublesome time. He is able to the one or two moments of magic that may determine a CONCACAF qualifier. And with solely 18,000 followers (50 p.c capability), the environment on the Metropolitano received’t be as hostile as it’s recognized to be. So the truth that the USA remains to be the favourite to win (-115) isn’t any shock. However the fact is that this sport can go in any course.

So one of the simplest ways to play it could be for a risk-averse begin by each groups (they have been deadlocked at 0-0 for 88 minutes in an equally high-stakes Nations League semifinal in June). A primary-half draw (-110) or a goal-less first half (+145 Beneath 0.5 complete objectives) are considerably dangerous bets with that method in thoughts. However neither facet has its first-choice assault they usually additionally haven’t been lighting it up on the attacking finish in September. Plus, the USA’s Matt Turner is an elite shot-stopper and he’s good for one or two goal-saving stops in each match. One other barely safer angle could possibly be banking on the second half being the higher-scoring of the 2 halves (+110) when gamers are fatigued and the groups are taking a couple of extra probabilities.

Prediction: Honduras 0, USA 1

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

• Honduras to win: +340
• Draw: +215
• USA to win: -115
• Beneath 2.5 complete objectives: -165
• Highest scoring half – 2nd half: +110
• 1st Half draw: -110
• 1st Half outcome 0-0: +145
• Beneath 0.5 complete objectives – 1st half: +145