World Cup Qualifying: Three takeaways as Dempsey, Pulisic help USA rout Honduras

This was a record-breaking performance by the U.S.

By Roger Gonzalez

Mar 25, 2017 at 1:27 am ET • 2 min read

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The U.S. men’s national team revived its World Cup Qualifying campaign on Friday with a monster 6-0 win over Honduras, which saw a star born, a star return and the greatest possible outcome happen for the hosts. Here’s what you need to know.

Pulisic, the team’s star

Oh, Christian Pulisic. He isn’t that bad, is he?

The 18-year-old was far and away the best player on the field. He was confident and calm on the ball, but most importantly, he made an impact. With a fine goal and two assists, the Borussia Dortmund talent is having quite the month. Just earlier in March he had his best performance for Dortmund, scoring in the Champions League round of 16 against Benfica, actually grabbing the winner to send his club to the quarterfinals. And on Friday, it was his coming out party under new coach Bruce Arena.

And while his goal was impressive, it’s his creativity that is most impressive. Just look at this assist to Clint Dempsey:

Clint Dempsey sure looks healthy to us! And how about that pass by Christian Pulisic?😍#USMNT is rolling! #USAvHON https://t.co/sB2uNKoTJX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 25, 2017

Dempsey returns with a roar

It was late in 2016, and his career looked to be in jeopardy. Dempsey had an irregular heartbeat, missed the end of the MLS season with Seattle and missed out on the first two matches of the hex. What was going to happen?

But Dempsey recovered, was called up and delivered in his first match back, scoring a lovely hat trick while he closes in on Landon Donovan’s U.S. scoring record. He looked sharp, gelled well with Jozy Altidore and Pulisic and made his coach looked super sharp.

Oh, and he did this:

All he does is score goals!

Clint Dempsey sealed his hat trick with this gorgeous free kick. 👀 #USMNT #USAvHON https://t.co/em8dAk1Ym8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 25, 2017

Confidence, momentum high as can be

Anything short of a win would have been a disaster for the U.S. But the team did everything right and got three massive points, going from sixth place to fourth in the hex.

But this win provided more than just points, but also momentum for the players and coaches and a lot more optimism for fans. Heading into Tuesday’s clash at Panama, the last qualifier it will play until June, this team is in the best possible situation when it comes to chemistry and form.

But the next game will be no pushover. Panama lost at Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 on Friday and knows a loss on Tuesday could partially derail its qualifying campaign. The stakes remain high, while confidence is high for the U.S. for the first time in months.