Forward Alberth Elis (#17) has scored three goals in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Photo: Mexsport)
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras head coach Jorge Luis Pinto announced Monday a 26-man roster for his team’s last two matches in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Catrachos, who sit fifth in the CONCACAF Hexagonal with nine points from eight games, will face second-place Costa Rica (15 points; October 6, away) and first-place Mexico (18 pts.; October 10, home). They can mathematically finish as high as second and as low as last in the standings, with the top three earning automatic places in Russia and the fourth-place side entering into a playoff against either Australia or Syria.
Houston Dynamo forwards Romell Quioto (5 goals) and Alberth Elis (3 goals) -- Honduras’ two top scorers during the current qualifying cycle -- highlight the squad. At seven goals, Elis is the Dynamo’s third top scorer this season, while Quioto is fourth with five tallies.
Others meriting selection are Olimpia midfielder Alexander Lopez (one goal and a team-high four assists in the 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League) and forward Antony Lozano (two goals in four Spanish second division games with Barcelona B).
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Ricardo Canales (Vida), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real España)
DEFENDERS: Ever Alvarado (Olimpia), Bryan Beckeles (Necaxa/Mexico), Felix Crisanto (Motagua), Henry Figueroa (Motagua), Maynor Figueroa (FC Dallas/USA), Emilio Izaguirre (Al-Fayha/Saudi Arabia), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Carlos Sanchez (Honduras Progreso), Allans Vargas (Real España)
MIDFIELDERS: Bryan Acosta (Tenerife, Spain), Jorge Claros (Real España), Carlos Discua (Motagua), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Alexander Lopez (Olimpia), Alfredo Mejia (Xanthi/Greece), Oliver Morazan (Juticalpa FC), Sergio Peña (Real Sociedad)
FORWARDS: Alberth Elis (Houston Dynamo/USA), Eddie Hernandez (Motagua), Ovidio Lanza (Juticalpa FC), Antony Lozano (Barcelona B/Spain), Rony Martinez (Baoding Yingli Yitong/China), Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo/USA)
