The USMNT resumed action in their Hexagonal round of 2018 WCQ in commanding style, as they demolished Honduras 6-0 at the Avaya Stadium on Friday night. Sebastian Lleget opened the goal feast in the 5th minute. Later US national team skipper Michael Bradley doubled the lead in the 27th minute. Thirteen minutes remaining to the half-time break, US playmaker Clint Dempsey notched the third goal to comfortably extending the lead. Just to the start of the second half, Christian Pulisic netted the fourth goal before Clint Dempsey notched his second goal of the game in the 46th minute, and a few minutes later Dempsey again completed his hat trick with a well-taken free kick to stylishly capped the victory for the USMNT in a 6-0 routing over the Hondurans.
A night of goal feast
The host team scored early-and-often, and it was the kind of outperform victory the USMNT needed to get back-on-track in the Hexagonal. There was Lletget's debut strike for the national team, Christian Pulisic with a goal and two brilliant setups and then Clint Dempsey's solid hat trick in his return for the USMNT after being diagnosed of a heart ailment last year. No doubt, Friday's encounter was a historically fabulous night in the Hex for the USMNT as they record their biggest ever victory in the WCQ qualifying-round.
The upcoming task for the USMNT
Friday's result now moves the USMNT to the fourth-place in the Hex standings. The US national team 6-0 win over Honduras was an essential result and a must-win match to keep their 2018 World Cup hopes alive.
With this strong momentum still fresh in their psyches, the Americans can now go into their next game against Panama on Tuesday with less pressure as they need a win or at least a draw against Panama to stand a chance of qualifying for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
USMNT Injury concerns
In spite of the good vibes for the US national team on Friday night, Sebastian Lletget was pulled out of the encounter minutes after his international debut goal with an ankle injury, and starting defender John Brooks was also forced out in the last minutes. Nevertheless, USMNT head coach Bruce Arena and his men will hope both players bounce-back probably for their upcoming match on Tuesday after making significant impacts against the Hondurans
