US Outlasts Honduras in the Second Half, Punches South Africa Ticket

Conor Casey shut up the critics and carried the US into the 2010 World Cup.  The three goals scored by the United States was the most they have scored during the CONCACAF Hexagonal and each in its own way was beautiful.  Following a first half which saw the US absorb attack after attack after attack from the home side, who like everyone thought they would, came out energized and ready to play.  But the US gave new meaning to the phrase bend but don't break.  Honduras had several opportunities to grab the lead but the US defense, most notably Tim Howard, held firm.  An early Carlos Costly breakaway forced Howard off his line and he did well to cut off the angle and Costly forced his effort wide.  Not long after that, the US had a chance with Charlie Davies.  Stuart "Iceman" Holden drove down the right flank and sent in one of those crosses you show to your U6 team, which found the head of Davies and forced a great save from Noel Valladares, the rebound fell straight back to Davies who then blasted over the crossbar from seven yards.  The rest of the half was a bit of a stalemate and looked more and more like a typical CONCACAF qualifying match.  No one told these teams though, as the second half exploded into the game of the night.  In the 47th minute a questionable call right outside the penalty area gave Honduras a free kick, which Julio Cesar de Leon delicately placed past a diving Tim Howard.  Eight minutes later Oguchi Onyewu sent a long freekick into the box which found the head of Charlie Davies, who headed toward the six yard box and Conor Casey leveled on a legal challenge of Valladares.  Then the US would grab the lead in the 66th minute on a solid run of play as the ball came free to Davies who played into Landon Donovan's feet, Donovan then perfectly placed the ball to an on rushing Casey who controlled, juked, and slotted past a helpless Valladares.  Five minutes later Landon Donovan airmailed a free-kick into the back of the net, it would turn out to be the game winner.  I guess being David Beckham's teammate isn't so bad after all.  The US would concede again in the 78th minute during a scramble in the box and the last 15 minutes the US just absorbed pressure, ala Confederations Cup, and grabbed their ticket to South Africa.

For anyone who missed, here are the highlights:


UPDATE: PLAYER RATINGS

My apologies for the timing of this, but school can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but here they are:

Tim Howard (7): The Everton stalwart can't be faulted for either goal and made enough saves and plays to keep the US on the winning side.

Jonathan Spector (4.5): I'm not sure where the Spector from the Confederations Cup went, but he was just OFF in this match, Honduran players where almost running past him with ease.  Neither goal was his fault though.

Oguchi Onyewu (6.5): Showed some rust from not playing at AC Milan, but the big guy settled in and as always dominated the airways.

Carlos Bocanegra (7): Best defender on the night for the US.  Consistently broke up attacks with timely intervention.  Should have buried his free header in the first half though.

Jonathan Bornstein (5.5): Certainly showing improvement from his last outings but still players often are finding a way around him.

Stuart Holden (6): Iceman was nervous in his first real start for the US, after a some shaky early moments, he settled in and gave his one-a-game inch perfect cross, none of which have been finished.

Michael Bradley (6.5): Did just enough to keep Palacios and Thomas relatively quiet, broke up some attacks and distributed decently.

Ricardo Clark (5.5): Clark was quiet throughout but like Bradley did enough to undermine Honduras in the central midfield.

Landon Donovan (8): Is there any doubt that he is playing the best football in his career?  Perfect touch and vision on his assist to Casey and his free kick would've broken Valladares' hand had he gotten to it.

Charlie Davies (5.5): Another usually steady performer was off his game, had two wonderful chances to help the US grab an early lead but both were squandered, was involved on both of Casey's goals however which improves his score.

Conor Casey (7.5): Who'd have thought that Conor Casey would have his coming out party in a World Cup Qualifier AT Honduras?  Not me, but he certainly shut-up the critics (including myself) and netted twice in impressive fashion.

Benny Feilhaber (5): Came in and gave some needed late possession but should've finished his late opportunity.

Jozy Altidore (5): Late sub played his role in the attack to keep some frontal pressure.

Steve Cherundolo (NA): Bradley's late ploy to kill more time.