SAINT PAUL, Minnesota. - The United States topped Honduras 3-0 in Concacaf World Cup qualifying match on a cold Wednesday night at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The U.S. went ahead 1-0 courtesy of a strong header from MF Weston McKennie in the eighth minute from a play off a set piece. Kellyn Acosta lofted a ball into the area and McKennie rose to head it into the near post and give the North Americans an early lead.
GOAL! It's a Weston McKennie header that puts the hosts ahead against Honduras.
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 3, 2022
⏱️ 09' 🇺🇸 1 vs 🇭🇳 0 #CWCQpic.twitter.com/YkpEZhrisd
In the 37th minute, a second Acosta set piece turned into a second goal for the U.S and a 2-0 lead. This time the ball came in from the left side, and after missing FW Jordan Morris in the box, it fell to DF Walker Zimmerman, who finished from close-range to double the advantage.
GOAL 🇺🇸! Another set piece executed to perfection by the @USMNT and Walker Zimmerman increases the home side's lead right before half time. #CWCQ pic.twitter.com/9UhHTxGQj9
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 3, 2022
Acosta once again was involved on the third goal of the night, sending a corner kick into the box in the 68th minute that took bounces off of U.S. FW Ricardo Pepi and Zimmerman before landing to substitute Christian Pulisic, who used his right foot to finish the move with his 18th goal for the U.S.
GOAL! Christian Pulisic scores the third for the Stars and Stripes 🇺🇸moments after coming onto the pitch.
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) February 3, 2022
⏱️ 67' 🇺🇸 3 vs 🇭🇳 0 #CWCQ pic.twitter.com/oYg2iyyfQt
The win shores up the Stars and Stripes’ position in the automatic qualification spots ahead of the final three qualification matches, while Honduras are eliminated from Qatar 2022.
Next up, the U.S. travels to face rival Mexico when qualification resumes on March 24, the same date that Honduras travels to face Panama.