Jonathan Bornstein: Honduran Hero

One soccer player sent Honduras into a frenzy on Wednesday night. It wasn't Carlos Pavon or David Suazo or anyone playing for Los Catratchos, for that matter. Instead, it was Jonathan Bornstein, whose stoppage time goal against Costa Rica had a profound impact on the final standings in the CONCACAF Hexagonal.

Heading into the final matchday, Honduras needed to win just to have a chance to secure the final automatic berth to the World Cup from CONCACAF. Travelling to El Salvador, the Hondurans needed a win in Estadio Cuscatlan, where no opponent had won in the final round of qualification. Carlos Pavon, whose missed penalty against the US denied Honduras a point and gave the US two more, went from goat to hero by netting the game's only goal. The 1-0 victory put the pressure on Costa Rica, whose negative goal differential meant that the they would need a win to secure their spot in South Africa.

For about 94 minutes, it looked as if it was just too little too late for the Hondurans, as Costa Rica clung to a 2-1 lead late into stoppage time. That's when Jonathan Bornstein, who had just one international goal to his name coming into Wednesday, became a part of Honduran soccer folklore. The Chivas USA leftback's streaking header in the fifth minute of stoppage time broke the hearts of one nation while sending another into a state of frenzied elation. Just listen to the reaction of announcers on Honduran radio following the goal. (Bornstein's goal comes at around 0:20)

The last gasp tie meant that Honduras would be returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1982. At a time when the country is divided by politics, Los Catratchos have served as a unifying point, and their qualification has certainly brought some much needed joy to everyone from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula. For a coup-torn nation that could use some good news, last night's results provided a welcomed escape.

The person with perhaps the biggest smile on his face is Carlos Pavon, whose last-minute miss is now a thing of the past. He is now a national hero heading to the World Cup for the first time in his long career that is nearing its end. And although the two battled each other as opponents less than one week ago, Carlos Pavon is surely now a huge fan of Jonathan Bornstein, who may have himself earned the status of national hero in Honduras. He's even been invited by Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti as a honored guest.

Not bad for a 24 year old who scored just his second goal at the international level.