USA Fails To Qualify For Third Consecutive Olympic Games After Loss To Honduras
Mar 28, 2021, 6:08 PM
José Reyes #07 of Honduras fights for the ball with Justen Glad #04 of United States during the semifinals match between Honduras and USA as part of the 2020 Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying at Jalisco Stadium on March 28, 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The USA under-23 team was eliminated from qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games after losing to Honduras in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament.
It is the third consecutive Olympic Games in which the USA will not be present in soccer at the Olympics. Whereas, Honduras has secured its Olympic bid for the fourth consecutive time.
Real Salt Lake saw three of their current players start for the USA. David Ochoa in goal, Aaron Herrera at right-back, and Justen Glad at center-back. Furthermore, former RSL Academy products Sebastian Saucedo and Sebastian Soto both came off the bench during the second half.
Made for this moment 💪
Looking to punch a 🎟 to #Tokyo2020, your U-23 USMNT starting XI! pic.twitter.com/VeRP0ya2AR
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) March 28, 2021
Fellow RSL teammate Douglas Martinez started on the bench but appeared with 10 minutes to spare to help his country secure the victory.
The USA found themselves down 2-0 after a two-minute stretch saw Honduras take a comfortable lead. The first goal came four minutes into the first-half extra time after Juan Carlos Obregon scored a tap in.
Then, two minutes into the second-half Luis Palma doubled the scoreline. The USA found itself in some trouble.
David Ochoa was embarrassed on the second goal when he attempted to pass the ball to Aaron Herrera but was picked off by Palma. Ochoa’s mistake ended up being the difference between the two countries.
ABSOLUTE DISASTER FOR THE U.S. as David Ochoa’s blunder gives Honduras a 2-0 lead 🥺
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) March 28, 2021
But, Jackson Yueill gave team USA life after he scored and cut the lead to just one.
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The USA lost the previous two matches in the tournament after suffering a 1-0 loss to Mexico in the final group stage game. The loss to Honduras in the semifinal gave the USA a 2-2 record over a four-game stretch.
