The United States will look to extend their winning run to four when they host Honduras in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Juergen Klinsmann’s side have impressed over the course of June, following a 4-3 friendly triumph over Germany with crucial qualifying wins against Jamaica and Panama.
That means the US top the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying with 10 points from their five matches and, at the halfway point of the final round of qualification, they lead Costa Rica and Mexico by two points.
Honduras are also well within striking distance, sitting fourth on seven points, and they know any result they can get at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah will be beneficial to their hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Key to the impressive form of the US this month has been AZ forward Jozy Altidore, who has scored in each of their three wins.
Altidore – fresh off a season where he scored 23 times in 33 Eredivisie appearances – has combined well with Tottenham’s Clint Dempsey, and the pair’s goals have been crucial for Klinsmann’s side.
The German manager has stuck with a settled side in recent times and this has paid dividends, as the US look set to qualify for their seventh World Cup in a row.
Honduras will enter the match on the back of a 2-2 friendly draw with Nicaragua on Saturday, while they beat Jamaica 2-0 in their last qualifier.
Bonieck Garcia and Roger Rojas scored in that win as they kept their unbeaten run at home alive in the fourth round of qualifying. Honduras’ struggles have come on the road though, with both of their defeats in the fourth round coming away from home.
The reverse fixture was played in February as Honduras came from behind to defeat the US 2-1 thanks to goals from Juan Garcia and Jerry Bengtson.
Honduras – who won just a single point at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals – are aiming to qualify for consecutive World Cups for the first time ever.
The US will fancy their chances of continuing Honduras’ poor away run though, as they look to build on their excellent form this month.
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