U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann his first win at the helm of the United States as a Clint Dempsey goal was all that the US needed to beat Honduras in rainy Miami.
Tim Howard earned Budweiser Man of the Match honors, posting six saves en route to his 37th victory. With the win, Howard moves into a second-place tie with fellow New Jersey native Tony Meola on the USA’s all-time win list for goalkeepers.
After some sustained pressure throughout the first half that produced a handful of chances, the USA finally broke through a little less than 10 minutes before halftime.
Right back Steve Cherundolo ran down Brek Shea’s blocked cross on the right wing and then slipped the ball back down the flank to the young U.S. midfielder. Shea struck a hard cross on the ground into the penalty area that was dummied by Jozy Altidore and then took a slight deflection off the heel of Michael Orozco Fiscal as it skipped through his legs. The ball rolled perfect to Dempsey, who wound up for a right-footed shot, but then dragged the ball back to his left foot, losing Honduran defender Mauricio Sabillon who bit on the fake.
Dempsey then quickly bent a curling left-footed shot from 15 yards out into the upper left corner past flying Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar. It was Dempsey’s 23rd international goal and just rewards for a U.S. team that created a plenty of scoring opportunities before and after the goal.
A couple of positives for the U.S. to take out of this game. Altidore, despite not finding the net, worked hard and was constantly drawing fouls and finding his teammates. Chandler might look very right-footed at left back but he didn’t allow that to affect him as he played well on both sides of the pitch.
Finally, after years of the U.S. searching for a No. 10, Klinsmann might have finally found his man in Clint Dempsey.
