USMNT Still Preparing for Honduras Clash
Following an impressive CONCACAF Nations League group campaign, the US men’s national soccer team is scheduled to face Honduras in the first semi-final in Houston on June 4.
A fascinating encounter is in prospect and from a Philadelphia Union perspective, we’re looking for Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie to be involved.
Comfortable Progress
The United States progressed to the knockout stage having topped Group A ahead of Canada on goal difference, with the former on +12 and the latter on just +6 (to Cuba’s dismal -18). It was a comfortable progression for Greg Berhalter’s team although the head coach would have been disappointed with the 2-0 defeat in Canada in October last year.
Aside from that reverse at the hands of their northern neighbors, the USMNT were dominant across that group campaign but the highlight was a 7-0 drubbing of Cuba in Washington. That victory was crucial in terms of progression to the next phase as it meant that the US booked their place in the semis ahead of Canada who had finished on the same number of points. June 4’s match against Honduras is the reward but can the US make it through to the final in Arlington three days later?
USMNT Rated
While in the international football betting markets the USA does not hold a particularly strong position worldwide (+10,000 to win the 2022 World Cup), they are far ahead of Honduras (+100,000) and so should be installed as favorites for the CONCACAF semi-final win.
Any knockout game can be tight to call but when we look at the head to head stats between these two sides, they could give us a strong indicator. The USA and Honduras have played each other 25 times to date with the US winning 17 of those games. Honduras have claimed three victories and there have been five draws.
The first games were played in 1965 so they’re not exactly relevant but the US has been dominating more recently. A 6-0 win in 2018 World Cup qualifying was the standout result and if we’re basing our predictions on the head to head stats, the USMNT should breeze through to the final.
Union Activity
Photo: “Philadelphia Union Home Opener” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by garr1s0n
Will there be any direct interest for Philadelphia Union fans when the USMNT take to the pitch in Houston? There is genuine hope that Mark McKenzie will feature in the knockout stage and it would be great to see Union’s homegrown player included. Having earned his first senior cap in 2020, McKenzie has a bright international future ahead of him.
Brenden Aaronson is in a similar position to McKenzie and also has that solitary cap from the start of this year.
While it may be unlikely that we will see either man start the game against Honduras, we’re still hopeful of McKenzie and Aaronson claiming a place on the subs bench as USMNT aim for Nations League glory.
Featured Image:"USMNT" (CC BY 2.0) by EDrost88
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