WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The United States continued its strong defence of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a late 2-0 victory over Honduras in their group match on Wednesday.
Santino Quaranta scored with a powerful strike in the 73rd minute and Brian Ching blew the match open with a header in the 79th as the U.S. secured top place in Group B on six points.
Underdogs Honduras survived early scoring opportunities but United States substitutes Benny Feilhaber and speedy Charlie Davies helped turn the match in the second half.
Both players figured in their team’s opening goal, Feilhaber sending a ball into the box where Davies laid it off for Quaranta to score. Six minutes later, Steve Cherundolo sent a perfectly placed ball in the box for Ching to finish over the top of two Honduras defenders and ensure the United States remain undefeated in Gold Cup pool play.
After hammering Grenada 4-0 over the weekend, the Americans lead Honduras and Haiti on three points, and can clinch a quarter final berth with a draw against the latter in their remaining group match tomorrow.
