The U.S. men’s national team hosts Honduras in a virtual must-win home game in its quest to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While the Honduran team was mathematically eliminated in the last round of matches on Sunday, the USA finds itself in second place with 18 points and a home win would help inch closer to qualification with the final three matches set to be played in March.
To ensure homefield advantage for this match the Americans opted to host the match in the frigid cold of Minnesota, where temperatures will be close to zero farenheit with windchills entering the negative territory.
MORE: Updated CONCACAF qualifying standings, results & schedule
Anything less than a victory and three points would see the USA and its fan base enter the March slate with deja vu after the shocking elimination from the 2018 World Cup four years prior. Those March matches feature trips to Mexico and Costa Rica sandwiching a home game against Panama, which is a contender for one of the direct spots.
Sporting News will be following the USA vs. Honduras qualifier, providing live score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
USMNT vs. Honduras live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| USA | — | — | — |
| Honduras | — | — | — |
Goals: None
(All times Eastern)
6:57 p.m.: They eventually appeared on the field, but who can blame them for waiting a bit longer before coming out on the field.
#USMNT on the field for warmups. No sign of the Hondurans yet. pic.twitter.com/jRg5TLAaJ3
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) February 2, 2022
6:45 p.m.: In addition to the cold, this will be one of the big talking points from the match:
Confirmed from the USSF that Pulisic being dropped is a coach’s decision. Based on what I’ve been told, he’s not injured or anything. #usmnt
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) February 2, 2022
6:06 p.m.: We’re going to learn a few things tonight with the cold conditions in Minnesota, including what a muff is:
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner will be allowed to wear this handwarmer during the match, as well.
Spokesperson said that the muff (yes, it’s called a muff) was given to the US by the Minnesota Vikings. pic.twitter.com/klcBWpEHTj
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) February 2, 2022
USA vs. Honduras lineups
No Christian Pulisic against Honduras with Jordan Morris taking his place in the starting lineup. Tim Weah makes a return after missing the Canada match due to travel restrictions, while Ricardo Pepi gets a chance up front after his surprise benchings in each of the last two matches.
The USMNT also has to deal with injuries to two starters: Kellyn Acosta comes in for Tyler Adams in midfield, and Walker Zimmerman enters in place of an injured Chris Richards at center back. Zimmerman wears the captain’s armband with Pulisic not in the lineup.
MORE: Fans, media react to frigid temperatures in Minnesota
Sergino Dest has played sparing minutes for Barcelona of late and looked tired against Canada, so Reggie Cannon spells him at right back in a match against a weaker opponent.
USA starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Matt Turner (GK) — 5-Antonee Robinson, 12-Miles Robinson, 3-Walker Zimmerman (capt.), 4-Reggie Cannon — 17-Luca de la Torre, 23-Kellyn Acosta, 8-Weston McKennie — 13-Jordan Morris, 18-Ricardo Pepi, 21-Tim Weah
USA subs (12):19-Sean Johnson, 2-Sergiño Dest, 6-Yunus Musah, 7-Paul Arriola, 9-Gyasi Zardes, 10-Christian Pulisic, 11-Brendan Aaronson, 14-Cristian Roldan, 15-Sebastian Lletget, 16-Mark McKenzie, 20-Jesús Ferreira, 22-DeAndre Yedlin
Honduras is officially eliminated from contention, but ‘El Bolillo’ Gomez is going for a result in Minnesota with a 4-4-2 formation relying on the speed and improvisation of forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto. A recall to the starting lineup was expected for veteran Maynor Figueroa along the backline. In midfield, Alfredo Mejia returns from his performance in the El Salvador match with attack-minded Edwin Rodriguez starting on the bench.
Honduras starting lineup (4-4-2, left to right): 22-Luis Lopez (GK) — 19-Omar Elvir, 15-Denil Maldonado, 3-Maynor Figueroa, 16-Wisdom Quaye — 14-Kevin Lopez, 8-Alfredo Mejia, 23-Diego Rodriguez, 6-Juan Delgado — 12-Rommel Quioto, 7-Alberth Elis (capt.)
Honduras subs (11): 1-Edrick Menjivar (GK), 18-Alex Guity (GK), 2-Allans Vargas, 4-Marcelo Santos, 5-Devron Garcia, 17-Franklin Flores, 20-Jorge Alvarez, 10-Edwin Rodriguez, 9-Antony Lozano, 11-Bryan Rochez, 21-Jonathan Rubio
How to watch USMNT vs. Honduras
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 2
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: FS1
- Spanish-language TV: Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: fuboTV
Wednesday’s match between the United States and Honduras from St. Paul will be broadcast on FS1 (English) and Univision and TUDN (Spanish) in the USA.
MORE: USMNT transfer watch & done deals
It can also be streamed on fuboTV and new users can take advantage of a free 7-day trial.
USMNT vs. Honduras betting odds, pick & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
The odds in this match are so skewed towards the United States that it’s hard to find genuine openings here without taking on risk.
Despite the recent struggles, there is no reason the USMNT won’t win, and it could even be a chance for it to take out some recent frustration. Christian Pulisic and the U.S. attack has been spotty at best over the last two matches, but a solid expected goals showing against El Salvador (2.98 xG) gives hope for a better result.
Honduras has already been eliminated from contention, and therefore the equatorial nation could look to open things up more, instead of just sitting back and remaining compact. That should allow both sides to find more openings, and the goals could be flowing.
Pick: USA win & over 2.5 goals (-135)
Prediction: USA 3, Honduras 1
- Moneyline: USA -650 / Draw +650 / Honduras +1300
- Spread: USA -2.5 (+145) / Honduras +2.5 (-200)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over -135 / Under +105
- Both teams to score: Yes +225 / No -320
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