USA-Honduras: The Venue

Win, and we're in. That's what's at stake on October 10, when the USMNT travels to San Pedro Sula to take on Honduras in the penultimate round of Hex matches. Obviously, though, this is easier said than done. Road games in CONCACAF always prove to be challenging, as raucous atmospheres and often sub-par playing conditions combine to create an experience that is far from hospitable.

This match will be played at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, where Los Catratchos have been unbeatable this cycle. In 8 home matches, Honduras has compiled a perfect 8-0-0 record, winning by a combined margin of 22-3. They haven't allowed an opponent to score more than one goal in any of those games, which includes two victories over Mexico. In fact, to find the last World Cup qualifier loss for Honduras in San Pedro Sula, you have to go all the way back to 2001, when Trinidad & Tobago and (coincidentally) the United States were able to pull off road wins.



It's no secret that the US has struggled on the road in qualifying up to this point, with a record of 4-3-1. The victories include underwhelming performances against Cuba and Barbados, but also include gritty wins such as the semifinal round victory in Guatemala and last week's win in Trinidad.

In the Hex, road performances have been categorized by slow starts (with the game against Mexico as a slight exception). Early deficits against El Salvador and Costa Rica kept the US from getting 3 points, while shaky moments almost put the US in a whole against the Soca Warriors. Though Charlie Davies' early goal against Mexico provided the US with a rare quick start, they relinquished the lead soon thereafter, erasing the momentum that an early road goal provides.

So, with a hostile crowd in one of CONCACAF's toughest road venues, the US will look to pull off one more road win to book their ticket to South Africa. Like almost all away matches in CONCACAF, look for a boisterous crowd and less-than-ideal field conditions to play a part in this game.