TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras.- One of the familiar faces of the Concacaf Gold Cup, Honduras national team captain Maynor Figueroa is back to lead the backline in his seventh tournament appearance.
The Jutiapa native has defended his country’s colors among fellow national team legends, the likes of Carlos Pavon, Carlo Costly and Amado Guevara, and now is the voice of experience for Honduras’ current stars, like 24-year-old defender Kevin Alvarez and 25-year-old forward Alberth Elis.
“It means a lot, personally, to me, especially on this occasion to be able to live and compete with young players, like players who are getting their chance today and who have that desire,” said Figueroa in an interview by his club Houston Dynamo FC. “This Gold Cup is going to be very important. It's going to be a good thermometer for us. It's going to be an interesting tournament. In previous editions we've come up short and this time we want to go as far as possible.”
Figueroa has helped the Central American nation live some of its most historic moments in his 19 years with the national team. He was part of Honduras’ FIFA World Cup appearances in 2010 and 2014, the 2012 Olympic team and the Gold Cup semifinalists in 2005 and 2011.
“I remember the time we were in a good moment and we were beating the United States,” said Figueroa of the 2005 semifinal. “In the end they tied us and turned the score around and we were out of the final.”
At the club level, Figueroa has also been an example to follow with four league titles at Olimpia before emigrating to England to play eight consecutive seasons in the Premier League with Wigan Athletic and Hull City. He moved to play in the United States in 2015 and helped FC Dallas to the 2016-17 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals.
Now playing with Houston Dynamo FC, Figueroa will be right at home for Honduras’ Group D matches at BBVA Stadium. Los Catrachos kick off their group slate with Grenada on July 13, Panama on July 17 and Qatar on July 20.
