US books place in World Cup with win in Honduras

It was the best game that almost nobody saw.  Thanks to the silly Honduras Soccer Federation the game was basically unavailable to most of the United States, but that was the last thing on the US teams minds.  Conor Casey made the most of a rare start and blasted onto the scene with a pair of huge goals as the US qualified for South Africa 2010 with a 3-2 win in Honduras.

A highly entertaining first half that saw both teams attack produced no goals.   The best chance of the opening half fell to Charlie Davies.  A perfect cross from Stuart Holden found Davies right in front of goal where he headed the ball on goal where Noel Valladares made the save for Honduras.  The ball rebounded right back to Davies who somehow blazed the ball over the goal leaving the match scoreless.

The 2nd half was wild, wild, wild as both teams fought desparately for the vital three points.   A silly foul by Gooch Onyewu set up a close in freekick for Honduras only 20 seconds after the restart.   The resulting freekick from Julio Cesar de Leon left Tim Howard no chance in the American goal and 45,000 Hondurans celebrated. 

The US would answer right back though.  A long Onyewu freekick into the Honduran box found the head of Charlie Davies who flicked on a header towards goal.  Conor Casey raced in and outleaped Valladares heading the ball into goal to tie the match.

Just minnutes later a perfectly placed pass from Landon Donovan released Conor Casey in on goal where he calmly slotted into the right corner for the 2-1 American lead.   The US continued to attack, not satisfied with the one goal lead.   Jonathan Bornstein and Stuart Holden both peppered the Honduras goal and soon after Conor Casey drew a foul just outside the penalty area.  Landon Donovan stepped up and curled a wonderful shot just around the wall and into the net.  3-1 USA.

Honduras was not going to go quietly though.   In the 78th minute some nice Honduras passing led to a goal from Julio Cesar de Leon, his 2nd of the game to trim the lead to 3-2.  Nervous times for the US as they tried to get out with the win.  In the 87th minute a curling freekick shorthopped Stuart Holden and came clearly off his right arm.  The referee wasted no time in awarding the penalty kick and the chance to tie the game.

Carlos Pavon looked to be the hero, but instead he blazed the penalty kick over the top and the US lead stayed intact to the groans of all Honduras.  The match would end 3-2 to the US and earn a berth in World Cup 2010 for the Americans next summer in South Africa.  Mexico also qualified on the day out of CONCACAF.  The third and final automatic bid will be decided on Wednesday between Honduras and Costa Rica.