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Honduras vs. USMNT score, ratings: Ricardo Pepi rides to the rescue as USA come from behind to earn vital win

The United States men's national team got its first win of the World Cup qualifying cycle on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat Honduras 4-1 in San Pedro Sula. Staring a defeat in the face at half time, manager Gregg Berhalter was proactive this time around, making changes that ended up paying off. Substitute Antonee Robinson scored just minutes after coming on, fellow sub DeAndre Yedlin came off the bench and delivered a brilliant assist as Ricardo Pepi headed home the winner in the 75th minute in his world cup qualifying debut. The 18-year-old also recorded two assists. The USA would also get goals from Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget.

Here's the winning goal:

The win moves the red, white and blue to five points after three games, putting them back into good standing as qualifying continues next month. Anything but a win in this one would have seen a mountain more of pressure on manager Gregg Berhalter, but now he has some breathing room, some film to work with and much-needed confidence entering October. 

While the U.S. ended up with the three golden points, the first half was all Honduras, despite only having a couple good looks on goal. DC United talent Andy Najar was the creative engine in the middle, at times making his markers look silly with his skill moves and turns. In front of a packed crowd in San Pedro Sula, it felt like the hosts were the most likely to get the opener, and that's just what happened thanks to a header by Brayan Mora as the American defense was caught sleeping in the 27th minute. 

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In the second half, Berhalter made numerous changes, and the team quickly responded through Robinson's fine finish inside the box in the 48th minute. From that moment on, the team grew with confidence and looked like the most likely team to take all of the points. 

While the match was there for the taking, the U.S. looked improved and sharper with each minute. Even after star Christian Pulisic came off injured in the second half, the U.S. was on the front foot, came alive late and earned what may end up being a monumental victory.

USMNT ratings

Name MinutesHow did they do? Rating

(GK) Matt Turner

90Made a couple really big saves to keep his team in it, including a glancing header just after the hour mark. As steady as they come.

7

(DEF) George Bello

45Really energetic and positive early on but at times needed to react a bit better to passes that were diagonal and was badly caught out on the goal. Taken off at the break.

5

(DEF) Miles Robinson

90Very good again when dealing with one-on-ones. Used his physical ability to shoulder Honduran attackers and gave this team a rock at the back that it needed.

7

(DEF) John Brooks

45Sloppy and unfocused in his passing. Was also nowhere to be found on the goal due to pushing too high into midfield and was taken off at the break.

3

(DEF) Mark McKenzie

90 Kind of quiet in the sense that he didn't make any big mistakes nor did he have to step up in big moments. He'll take that, and so will the fans.

6

(DEF) Tyler Adams

90Moved to right back for this game and was just completely out of his best position. Did OK, but it wasn't his fault he was moved to where he shouldn't be playing. Moved centrally later and helped change the game.

7.5

(MID) Kellyn Acosta

90Never looked sharp on the ball, and was incredibly disconnect with James Sands in midfield, and it was like playing a man down in the first half. Was better in the second when the team shifted to a midfield three and also contributed defensively.

6

(MID) James Sands

73Really bad in the first half but pretty solid in the second. Just doesn't have the range to play without two midfield partners. Did well in the air and made some good challenges, though at this point he shouldn't be starting.

5.5

(FWD) Christian Pulisic

62Showed fight as always, but he got very little service. He had one good chance in front of goal that he skied all the way to Tegucigalpa. Had another late in the first half that was blocked, adding to his frustration. Helped set up the first goal but was taken off due to an injury.

4

(FWD) Ricardo Pepi

90Just completely dominated off the ball by the bigger, stronger Hondurans in the first half. Then completely turned it around in the second half, with his holdup play helping create the equalizer before bagging the winner. A sensational second half.

8

(FWD) Josh Sargent

45Passing was off, was never given a decent look at goal but did nearly set up Pulisic in the first half. Still, it wasn't good enough and lasted just 45 minutes.

4

SubstitutesReplacedHow did they do?Rating

Brenden Aaronson

Sargent

Came off the bench and got a goal, remaining the team's top scorer in qualifying. Brought the quickness and creativity that was needed.

7

Antonee Robinson

Bello

Came on and changed the game after three minutes with his equalizer and always looked dangerous. Composed display.                 

7

Sebastian Lletget

Brooks

Brought much-needed experience and stability into the middle and was rewarded with a goal.

7

Cristian RoldanPulisic Came on for 28 minutes and was a tad sloppy in his passing but it wasn't costly. 5
DeAndre YedlinSandsA key addition that assisted the winning goal just two minutes after coming on. The super sub.7.5
ManagerSubs usedHow did the manager do?Rating

Gregg Berhalter

5 The first half was absolutely awful, but the second half was the complete opposite. Deserves credit for getting his team to respond and picking up three huge points. He also actually made changes early with a halftime triple subsitution. But his work is just getting started. So many issues to fix ahead of next month.

7

Concacaf World Cup qualifying standings

RNKTEAMMPWDLGDPTS

1.

Mexico

3

2

1

0

2

7

2.

Canada

3

1

2

0

3

5

3.

United States

3

1

2

0

3

5

4.

Panama

3

1

2

0

3

5

5.

Costa Rica

3

0

2

1

-1

2

6.

Honduras

3

0

2

1

-3

2

7.

El Salvador

3

0

2

1

-3

2

8.

Jamaica

3

0

1

2

-4

1

USMNT: Concacaf qualifiers schedule

(All times U.S./Eastern)

Thursday, Oct. 7 (Matchday 4)
United States vs. Jamaica, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 10 (Matchday 5)
Panama vs. United States, 9 p.m. (Paramount+)  

Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Matchday 6)
United States vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m.

Nov. 11-13 (Matchday 7)
United States vs. Mexico

Nov. 14-16 (Matchday 8)
Jamaica vs. United States (Paramount+)  

Thursday, Jan. 27 (Matchday 9)
United States vs. El Salvador

Sunday, Jan. 30 (Matchday 10)
Canada vs. United States (Paramount+)  

Wednesday, Feb. 2 (Matchday 11)
United States vs. Honduras

Thursday, March 24 (Matchday 12)
Mexico vs. United States 

Sunday, March 27 (Matchday 13)
United States vs. Panama

Wednesday, March 30 (Matchday 14)
Costa Rica vs. United States (Paramount+)  

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Live updates
 
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Honduras 1, USMNT 4 (FT)

 
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Well, Berhalter makes the change and goes with two strikes in Sargent and Pepi. Pulisic may drop down as the No. 10 and be the creator, but expect him to get fouled plenty as Honduras looks to slow him down. George Bello and James Sands also start.

 
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How to watch and odds

  • Date: Wednesday, Sept. 8 | Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano -- San Pedro Sula, Honduras 
  • TV channel and Live stream: Paramount+
  • Odds: Honduras +450; Draw +210; USA -143 (via Caesars Sportsbook) 
 
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Storylines

Honduras: Los Catrachos are like the U.S. in the sense that they just can't seem to consistently create in attack. One goal in their last four matches in all competitions, they had just one shot on goal against El Salvador on Sunday. They have to figure out a way to hold on to the ball and improve on their average of 32 percent possession, because they simple don't have the ball long enough to build up. While they can threaten on the counter and have looked dangerous at times, there is sharpness in the final third that has gone missing. If they find it here, they'll be in great shape, but even a point would be solid. 

USMNT: So with Weston McKennie suspended and back in Italy for violating COVID protocols, what does this team look like from here? Gregg Berhalter went with Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta and Sebastian Lletget against Canada, and I suspect we will see something similar Wednesday. With a youthful team looking so inexperienced, don't be shocked to see somebody like Cristian Roldan slide into the midfield. But that still doesn't solve the problem of just simply not creating enough chances, which is further hindered by Gio Reyna's hamstring injury. A win here will get things back on track, while anything but three points will make an already upset fan base even more uncertain of what's to come. 

 
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Lots of eyes on what Berhalter does in attack as well, with many wanting to see FC Dallas' young sensation Ricardo Pepi. Berhalter said he doesn't have any hesitation in putting him in, but will he play? FC Dallas tweeted this a short time ago in reference to my tweet on Pepi.

 

Welcome everybody to our live blog of tonight's big World Cup qualifier between the United States men's national team and Honduras! I'm Roger Gonzalez, and what a game we have in store on Paramount+. 

Things haven't gone as planned for the U.S. so far, dropping points in their first two games. That started off with the 0-0 draw in El Salvador before drawing Canada 1-1 at home on Sunday. The pressure is on now, especially with so many absences. 

No Gio Reyna or Sergino Dest due to injury, and on top of that Weston McKennie was sent home for breaking covid protocols. Who will step up?

 
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