United States National Football

The United States men's national team returns to its spiritual home of Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday night for its latest CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match. 

The major difference between Wednesday's match in Columbus and previous World Cup qualifying cycles is Mexico is not the opponent coming to the home of Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew. 

Instead, the USMNT will take on Costa Rica, who was perceived as its second-toughest foe at the beginning of the qualification process. 

Both teams come into the sixth match of qualifying in need of points for different reasons. The USMNT is looking for a bounce-back win after losing in Panama, while Costa Rica is trying to steal points on the road after picking up four points in the last two matches. 

Mexico is on top of the eight-team CONCACAF World Cup qualifying table with 11 points. The USMNT is second with eight. Costa Rica is fifth on six points. 

The top three teams at the end of the qualification cycle automatically advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The fourth-place squad faces an intercontinental playoff. 

          

USMNT vs. Costa Rica Info

Date: Wednesday, October 13

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET 

TV: ESPN2 

Live Stream: ESPN.com or ESPN app

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT (-260; bet $260 to win $100); Costa Rica (+650; bet $100 to win $650); Draw (+350)

     

Preview

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter comes into Wednesday under pressure after his poor lineup choices led to the loss in Panama. 

Berhalter swapped out seven starters from the 2-0 win over Jamaica last Thursday, and the move backfired on him.

The Americans did not put in a noteworthy performance in Panama, and that allowed the Central American side to gain ground and move into third place in the "Octagonal" round. 

Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie should be back together in midfield, and 18-year-old phenom Ricardo Pepi will most likely start up top. 

Pepi has been the breakout star of World Cup qualifying for the Americans. He leads the region with three goals. Four other players have two strikes, including USMNT attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

Look for Aaronson to play a major role in the attacking setup once again. The RB Salzburg player has been a nice piece in between Adams, McKennie and Pepi when those players have started together. 

Aaronson provides a goal-scoring prowess out of the No. 10 role in support of Pepi. He should look to make a handful of carving runs in between the Costa Rica defense to help the 18-year-old FC Dallas player with chance creation. 

In defense, Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest will likely be back in the starting full-back roles, while Miles Robinson could be paired with one of a few different candidates. Walker Zimmerman and Mark McKenzie both started in Panama. 

Zimmerman partnered Robinson in the Jamaica win, and Berhalter may not be willing to use the Nashville SC man for all three games in this international window. 

If that is the case, Chris Richards may receive a start over McKenzie. Richards has played well on loan at Hoffenheim from Bayern Munich, and he has the potential to be a permanent starter in the American defense. 

Even though Mexico is not the opponent in Columbus, the USMNT should benefit from a clear home-field advantage inside the new Lower.com Field. 

The Americans played El Tri in Columbus in every World Cup qualifying cycle dating back to 2002. The rivalry will renew in November in Ohio, but in a different city. That game will take place at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. 

Costa Rica will attempt to spoil the party in Columbus with an experienced squad, led by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas. 

However, the Ticos will be without forward Joel Campbell after he sprained his right ankle. They called in 39-year-old Alvaro Saborio and 37-year-old Christian Bolanos for Wednesday's match.

Costa Rica picked up four of its six WCQ points in the last two matches. The Ticos picked up a road point in Honduras and then beat El Salvador at home. They experienced a disappointing start in September with draws against Jamaica and Panama and a home loss versus Mexico. 

The next two games are crucial to Costa Rica's qualification campaign. It opens the November window on the road in Canada. 

Canada and Mexico should pick up more points in Wednesday's other matches. Canada welcomes Panama to BMO Field in Toronto and Mexico visits El Salvador. Honduras hosts Jamaica in the fourth match on Wednesday's slate.

            

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United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter decided to shuffle the lineup for Sunday's road matchup against Panama in World Cup qualifying. It turned out to be costly. 

The USMNT dropped crucial points against their underdog opponents, losing 1-0. Anibal Godoy's glancing header off a corner kick was the game's lone goal. 

Panama take the lead over the USMNT 😳 pic.twitter.com/tMsgTaqXTI

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 10, 2021

In what has become a recurring theme for the United States in qualifying, the first half was a slog. It was Panama had the better chances and, were it not for the heroics of Matt Turner, easily could have been up a goal or two.

Big save from Matt Turner 👊 pic.twitter.com/UBBCONk5G3

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 10, 2021

The USMNT have yet to register a good first half in qualifying.
Now the good news… They have been a great 2nd half team.

— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) October 10, 2021

#USMNT hasn't scored in eight straight first halves, the team's longest such streak in the last 30 years.

On the bright side, the U.S. outscored opponents 9-1 in the previous seven games. 🇺🇸

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) October 10, 2021

HT: #usmnt 0-0 Panama. Very few positive other than the fact that the U.S. didn't concede thanks to Turner and the two CBs. Press isn't in sync. Sloppy play in midfield. Crosses not finding targets. Just brutal for the most part.

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) October 10, 2021

US playing like a team devoid of leadership. Plenty on bench that to change that and reinforce trend of being a Second Half Team

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 10, 2021

But unlike past performances, the USMNT's second-half heroics never came. 

Perhaps some shakiness was to be expected from a lineup that was comprehensively reworked after Thursday's 2-0 win against Jamaica. But the USMNT has enough depth to be far brighter than they showed in the first half, or in the full 90 minutes, period. 

Suffice to say, the performance was met with frustration:

Gross. #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) October 10, 2021

Berhaulter at the helm for some of the most insipid, clueless, gutless efforts ever in WCQ and isn't even halfway through the cycle. Terrible hire.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 11, 2021

FT: #usmnt 0-1 Panama.This loss was particularly ugly. U.S. subpar in too many areas to deserve anything. In the future, 1 of Adams or McKennie has to be on the field. That initial midfield lineup never looked in sync on either side of the ball. Pressure is on against Costa Rica.

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) October 11, 2021

If nothing else, it highlighted how important players like Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi—not to mention Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, each unavailable over this international break—are to the USMNT's attack. 

Still, it remains a huge concern that the United States has shown both a propensity to start games at a snail's pace and have dropped points from winnable matchups in the final round of qualifying. Some of Berhalter's lineup decisions, in hindsight, have been perplexing. 

After the last set of WCQs for USMNT, I decided to wait before being critical of lineup choices and Berhalter. The team is in first place after four games, after all.

But uh…this starting lineup was very much not it in this situation, on the road in Panama.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 10, 2021

Squad rotation to prioritize home games is one thing.

A lot of squad rotation to prioritize home games while on the road against the team that went to the last World Cup you failed to qualify for... might lead to a loss.

— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) October 10, 2021

Yes, it is smart to rotate players with three games in a week in what is a grueling octagonal. The issue is how Berhalter chose to rotate the lineup in this game, moves that will be examined closely (and likely harshly). 

With this loss, the United States has eight points through five games and fell to second place in the qualifying standing. Mexico took a three-point lead on the Americans after beating Honduras. Panama, meanwhile, also has eight points and only trails the United States on goal differential. Canada lurks in fourth place with seven points. 

So what was already an important matchup with Costa Rica on Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET) has become absolutely crucial. Dropping points is no longer an option for the United States. Once again, the USMNT's margin for error has shrunk. 

The United States men's national team will look to maintain its position atop the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying standings when it takes on Panama on Sunday night at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.

It's the second of three qualifying matches in October. The USMNT is coming off a strong 2-0 win over Jamaica that vaulted them from third to first in the Octagonal standings, but the Panama matchup figures to be a trickier test. The game is on the road, there's rain in Weather.com's forecast and Panama has proved to be resolute in defense during qualifying, with two goals allowed in four matches.

The USMNT will also be missing several key players for this contest, so it's up to Gregg Berhalter to show that his young squad has the depth and maturity to get a result in difficult conditions. 

Here's how to watch the match.

                    

Panama vs. USMNT Match Info

When: Sunday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama

TV/Live stream: Paramount+, Universo

Odds: USA -125 (wager $125 to win $100), Panama +390 (wager $100 to win $390), draw +220

Odds via DraftKings.

           

2022 World Cup CONCACAF Qualifier Standings

1. USA (2-2-0, 8 pts, +5 goal differential)

2. Mexico (2-2-0, 8 pts, +2 GD)

3. Canada (1-3-0, 6 pts, +3 GD)

4. Panama (1-2-1, 5 pts, +2 GD)

5. El Salvador (1-2-1, 5 pts, -2 GD)

6. Costa Rica (0-3-1, 3 pts, -1 GD)

7. Honduras (0-3-1, 3 pts, -3 GD)

8. Jamaica (0-1-3, 1 pts, -6 GD)

           

Team USA proved against Jamaica it can without Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna and John Brooks, all of whom are missing with injuries. Against Panama, the U.S. will have to prove it can perform just as well without a few other key players.

Midfielder Weston McKennie didn't travel with the team to Panama because of a minor quad injury suffered against Jamaica. Per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, Berhalter said the injury is "not severe," and he hopes McKennie is available for the match against Costa Rica on Wednesday.

The team will also be missing backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen and defender Antonee Robinson, who play in England. According to the United Kingdom's COVID-19 restrictions, they would have had to quarantine upon returning to the UK if they visited a high-risk country like Panama, per the Associated Press.

That means more opportunities for Team USA's fringe players. Shaquell Moore or George Bello could see playing time with Robinson missing, while Kellyn Acosta or Sebastian Lletget could get a start with McKennie absent.

One player Berhalter will be counting on is Ricardo Pepi, the 18-year-old FC Dallas striker. He scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Jamaica, one on a header and one finishing a short cross. He also had a goal and assist in the team's 4-1 win over Honduras in September. His finishing, movement and work rate have been excellent, and he will have another chance to star against Panama.

"We're all excited," Berhalter said, per ESPN's Kyle Bonagura. "For us, we're just sitting there and we're on the train. He's an 18-year-old who gets an opportunity, takes advantage. What you see and I think what I really like is that he has this instinct, and it's really hard to teach that to players."

Another player who might see more playing time is winger Timothy Weah, who came on as a substitute against Jamaica. He provided a great spark off the bench, making decisive runs and taking on defenders. He came close to notching a couple of assists. If Berhalter needs to rest Brenden Aaronson or Paul Arriola, Weah will likely get the nod.

As for Panama, they are facing immense pressure to get a result after losing 1-0 to El Salvador on Thursday. While the defense has been solid throughout qualifying, the attack has left much to be desired.

Los Canaleros managed to put three goals past Jamaica but have scored just once in their other three qualifiers. They didn't get a single shot on target against El Salvador. Veteran striker Rolando Blackburn, who has two goals this qualifying cycle, will once again figure to be the focal point of the attack.

If there's a danger here for the United States, it's starting slow. All seven of the team's goals in World Cup qualifying have come in the second half. They did a better job against Jamaica, drawing two fouls on clear goal-scoring opportunities but couldn't convert the ensuing set pieces.

Panama will be pouncing on any opportunity it can to get the offense going, and it will be tough to battle back from a deficit on the road against a solid team that is hungry to return to the World Cup after reaching it for the first time in 2018.

After Panama, the United States will finish out this qualifying window with a home match against Costa Rica on Wednesday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

               

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Ricardo Pepi. Learn the name. He's the future of the forward position for the United States men's national soccer team.

The 18-year-old striker has continued his torrid run during World Cup qualifying, posting a brace in just his second USMNT start, a 2-0 win over Jamaica in Austin, Texas, on Thursday night. 

DEST ➡️ PEPI 🔥

The USMNT go up 1-0 over Jamaica 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UmO45fcMnA

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 8, 2021

PEPI DOUBLE!

THE KID IS ON FIRE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OMZIhLq3l0

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 8, 2021

In September, Pepi scored the game-winner and added an assist in a crucial 4-1 victory at Honduras.

His and fellow 18-year-old Yunus Musah's excellent performances Thursday were the storyline after the USMNT's much-needed win, which pushed it at least temporarily atop the CONCACAF table with eight points. The future looks bright for the young Americans.

Finding a truly dangerous center forward has been the USMNT's quest for, what, 30 years now?

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 8, 2021

So, um, Ricardo Pepi is a No. 9 the #USMNT has never seen. That's not an exaggeration.

— Stephen Meyer (@StephenMeyerRDC) October 8, 2021

https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/1446280447902765057

https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/1446280004766109715

All we talked about in the #USMNT community was the lack of ball-carrying MFs. We wanted Musah & LDLT. GGG brought them, & Musah just created a crucial goal. That skill set was so wildly lacking.

— Stephen Meyer (@StephenMeyerRDC) October 8, 2021

But without Pepi's positioning and scoring touch—and beautiful buildup play by the United States—that storyline could have been the questionable officiating. 

Just 20 seconds into the game, Paul Arriola was played into empty space and appeared to be free on goal when he was clattered into by Jamaica's Kemar Lawrence. It certainly looked to be a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, which would have resulted in a red card, though referee Reon Radix brandished a yellow.

In the 33rd minute, Brenden Aaronson was fouled on the edge of the box by Damion Lowe, and again it appeared only the goalkeeper was between the American and the net. And again, Radix opted for a yellow. 

Only a yellow card was given for this tackle. pic.twitter.com/EL3X4VkXUG

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 8, 2021

wtf is this ref doing in USMNT-Jamaica? Totally unsure on what to do in these big spots. Totally unwilling to show red. CONCACAF refs remain just hilarious.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 8, 2021

CONCACAF refs gets it wrong

*drink*

— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) October 8, 2021

https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/1446272211522785296

CONCACAF doesn't have VAR availability, so that can at least be partially blamed for the poor decisions. Either way, the United States rightly will feel aggrieved that the game ended with 11 Jamaica players on the pitch.

Granted, it's a moot point in a 2-0 win. And while Jamaica isn't one of the top sides in CONCACAF, the United States' fairly easy victory without Christian Pulisic or Gio Reyna shouldn't be ignored.

The positives from Thursday were numerous. Weston McKennie made his return and played well. Sergino Dest was weaving down the right flank and assisted on the first goal. 

For the past few years, the talk about the USMNT after its failure to qualify for the last World Cup has featured the young talent waiting in the wings. At least on this night, those players justified the hype.

Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna were left off the United States men's national team roster ahead of the squad's three 2022 World Cup qualifiers in October.

Here’s the detailed personnel for our October business trip.

Oct. 7 vs. 🇯🇲 in Austin
Oct. 10 at 🇵🇦 in Panama City
Oct. 13 vs. 🇨🇷 in Columbus

More on the WCQ Roster » https://t.co/MT2BaBBOx6 pic.twitter.com/2W2IZ1PE7S

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 29, 2021

Reyna is still dealing with the right hamstring strain he suffered on national team duty earlier this month. Likewise, Pulisic remains out after injuring his ankle while playing for the USMNT. Coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters it's "unlikely" either will be a late addition to the squad.

Weston McKinnie is, however, back in the fold. Berhalter sent the Juventus star home during the last round of qualifiers after he violated the team's COVID-19 protocols.

"As far as I'm concerned this is something that's done," Berhalter said. "This is not something we hold on guys."

The coach also came to McKennie's defense:

Gregg Berhalter on recalling Weston McKennie: "The one thing I didn't love about this is how this got spun, the lack of understanding and tolerance. We are way too quick to judge these young players. His behavior was unacceptable. We move on." #USMNT

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) September 29, 2021

Three players are based with clubs in England: Zack Steffen, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. Berhalter indicated they won't make the trip to Panama City, Panama, so as to avoid a quarantine period when they return to England.

Panama is on England's red list of countries, meaning that anybody returning is subject to a 10-day quarantine.

Steffen, Ream and Robinson will still be available to play against Jamaica on Oct. 7 in Austin, Texas, and against Costa Rica on Oct. 13 in Columbus, Ohio.

Excitement was building around the USMNT after it beat Mexico 3-2 in the CONCACAF Nations League final in June and followed up with a 1-0 victory over El Tri in the Gold Cup final.

However, the team underwhelmed in a 0-0 draw with El Salvador and a 1-1 draw with Canada to open World Cup qualifying.

Mexico is leading the Hexagonal with seven points through three matches. The U.S., Canada and Panama are all tied with five points.

It's far too early to panic about the USMNT missing the World Cup, but failing to qualify in 2018 showed the United States isn't untouchable. Supporters will be expecting something more against Jamaica, Panama and Costa Rica.

Young Boys opened the group stage of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United thanks to American striker Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok.

United was moments away from holding onto a 1-1 draw after having played the majority of the match with 10 men. Pefok capitalized on a critical error by Jesse Lingard in injury time and beat David de Gea one-on-one for the winner.

USMNT's Jordan Pefok scores the winner for Young Boys to defeat Manchester United 2-1 in the Champions League.

WHAT A MOMENT 🔥 @brfootball

(via @CBSSportsGolazo)pic.twitter.com/zag90B75ZT

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2021

According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the 11th and latest (94:22) Champions League goal scored by an American international.

Pefok, who was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in France, has made eight appearances and scored one goal for the United States men's national team. The 25-year-old was among the players selected by coach Gregg Berhalter for the USMNT's last round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

In those three matches, the United States scored five goals, four of which came against Honduras. Two draws and one victory were an underwhelming return and raised some concerns.

With the national team returning to action in October, Pefok almost certainly caught the attention of Berhalter on Tuesday.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone published an open letter Friday asking women's and men's national teams to split World Cup prize money equally.

Meg Linehan of The Athletic posted the full text of Parlow Cone's letter on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1436361640048480263

"To that end, we have invited the players and both Players Associations to join U.S. Soccer in negotiating a solution together that equalizes World Cup prize money between the USMNT and USWNT," Parlow Cone wrote.

While the women's team has been arguing for equal pay, the federation has claimed that it is out of its control to provide equal prize money to the men's and women's teams because FIFA controls the World Cup prize pot, per Kathleen McNamee of ESPN.

The USSF and USWNT have been at odds over the pay discrepancy between the men's and women's teams.

The USWNT sued the USSF for discrimination in 2019, per ESPN News Services, with their lawsuit reading in part:

Despite the fact that these female and male players are called upon to perform the same job responsibilities on their teams and participate in international competitions for their single common employer, the USSF, the female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts.

This is true even though their performance has been superior to that of the male players—with the female players, in contrast to male players, becoming world champions.

The battle between the two sides has persisted ever since. The equal pay lawsuit is ongoing as the players appeal a federal judge's May 2020 decision to dismiss the suit.

Linehan wrote about the USSF's goal with the letter for The Athletic.

It's two-fold from Parlow Cone: trying to add some public pressure for the federation's side in the equal pay battle (optics has always been the largest front between the players and U.S. Soccer), and for that pressure to specifically be applied to the two players' associations to sit down for negotiations at the same time.

Parlow Cone told The New York Times that new CBAs for either team would be on hold because of this: “As U.S. Soccer, I don’t think we’re willing to sign a CBA that doesn’t equalize World Cup prize money.

Becca Roux, the USWNT Players Association executive director responded to the open letter. She called it a "publicity stunt" that "fell short of of addressing our issues," per Andrew Das of The New York Times:

USWNT PA chief Becca Roux responds: "We will not let them use our fight for equality to create a divide between the women and men." pic.twitter.com/R6tXwsM6Uy

— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) September 10, 2021

The United States women's national team most recently earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The U.S. has also made each of the last three World Cup finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2019.

A tale of two halves ended in victory for the United States men's national soccer team on Wednesday as the Americans defeated Honduras 4-1 to earn their first win in 2022 World Cup qualifying.

Ricardo Pepi, an 18-year-old FC Dallas striker making his senior team debut, scored the game-winning goal. He also had a hand in the United States' other three goals to cap his sensational national team start.

The United States trailed 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 27th-minute goal from Honduras striker Brayan Moya, but Antonee Robinson, Pepi, Brenden Aaronson and Sebastian Lletget each scored in the second half to give the Americans the win at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The first half featured lethargic and lifeless play from the American side. Honduras took advantage of that effort when an unmarked Moya found himself alone in the six-yard box as he headed in a Diego Rodriguez cross:

Honduras cuts the USMNT open to take a 1-0 lead 😬pic.twitter.com/Ia9Rlo5GgJ
(via @CBSSportsGolazo)

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2021

The Honduras goal started with a giveaway at midfield.

ESPN analyst and former USMNT player Taylor Twellman offered pointed commentary on the play and soon summed up some problems for the team:

Bad giveaway. And where is John Brooks??????? #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) September 9, 2021

Anyone that has played the game at any level understands that certain games mean just “doing your job” and being “simple”.

Being compact, playing direct and on front foot, while making the other team uncomfortable. It’s about qualifying for the World Cup ffs!!!! #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) September 9, 2021

Ives Galarcep of CBS Sports Network summarized the first half well for the United States:

HALFTIME- Honduras 1, #USMNT 0

That was an abysmal, flat, tired, uninspired and brutal 45 minutes for the USMNT.

Honduras was organized and playing with purpose and energy.

USA did not.

Sands looks lost, Adams hasn't looked comfortable at RWB, Brooks wasn't great. pic.twitter.com/TuwO8HgG0I

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) September 9, 2021

Stephen Meyer of Audacy questioned the formation and strategy:

I'm completely embarrassed for the #USMNT right now. I'm watching 1990s 4-4-2 Hail Mary boot ball all over again. No plan, no creativity, no ability to connect high school level passes. No effort or intensity. How a manager could ever survive this is unimaginable. Utter disgrace.

— Stephen Meyer (@StephenMeyerRDC) September 9, 2021

Thomas Floyd of the Washington Post pointed out that players suiting up in new positions on the national team led to a natural lack of cohesion too:

The #USMNT had nine games this summer but is still playing a World Cup qualifier with four players (Sands, Adams, Sargent, Pepi) starting in positions they haven't played for the national team before. A lack of cohesion seemed inevitable here.

— Thomas Floyd (@ThomasFloyd) September 9, 2021

Massive changes occurred at halftime. The formation changed to a 4-3-3, and three subs came on (Lletget for John Brooks, Aaronson for Josh Sargent, Robinson for George Bello).

The changes paid off, as all three of those subs scored.

Robinson's equalizer occurred in the 48th minute. The goal followed beautiful teamwork that featured Christian Pulisic's run, Lletget's cross and Pepi leaving the ball behind for Robinson, who finished the job.

45’—Antonee Robinson enters the game
48’—Antonee Robinson equalizes for the USMNT

(via @CBSSportsGolazo) pic.twitter.com/IUFnJgUQgS

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2021

Harold Kuntz of Fox 4 Kansas City noted how the changes led to the goal:

Who knew, formation change to 4-3-3 and 3 subs that help facilitate.. you know.. scoring… score. #USMNT

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) September 9, 2021

Prospects appeared bleak for the United States when Pulisic was forced off the pitch in the 62nd minute because of an apparent leg injury. The captain tried to gut it out, but Cristian Roldan replaced him:

Christian Pulisic is forced off for the USMNT due to injury 😞 pic.twitter.com/1hYHS5WS7C

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 9, 2021

The United States kept up the pressure and nearly got the game-winner when Tyler Adams fired a low shot outside the box toward the bottom-right corner of the goal. However, Honduras goaltender Luis Lopez made an exceptional diving save to keep the game tied.

That 1-1 score would not last, however, as Pepi headed home a DeAndre Yedlin cross in the 75th minute:

RICARDO PEPI WITH HIS DEBUT GOAL TO GIVE THE @USMNT THE LEAD 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8UiNxA8mCO

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 9, 2021

"The second youngest U.S. player to appear in a World Cup qualifier (behind Pulisic) and the second youngest U.S. player to score in a World Cup qualifier (behind Pulisic), 18-year-old Ricardo Pepi's time is now," Brooks Peck, the Athletic's deputy managing editor for U.S. Soccer, wrote following the goal.

It'll certainly be hard (or perhaps impossible) to keep Pepi off the World Cup qualifying pitch after that one. FC Dallas play-by-play commentator Mark Followill stated something that appears to be inevitable:

Something tells me Ricardo Pepi is going to play more than 1 of the 3 qualifiers in the October window

— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) September 9, 2021

The United States poured it on from there thanks in part to Pepi, who took advantage of a midfield giveaway and found a wide-open Aaronson for the third goal at the 86th minute:

Pepi sets it up, Aaronson puts the finishing touches on it 🤝

(via @CBSSportsGolazo) pic.twitter.com/azDlkVyrfp

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2021

Pepi was involved in the action again on the fourth goal. Another Honduras giveaway led to Adams possessing the ball. He soon found Pepi, who fired the ball on goal. Lopez got the save, but Lletget cleaned it up for the evening's final goal in injury time.

SEBASTIAN LLETGET MAKES IT FOUR 💥 pic.twitter.com/d7nCb78tAZ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 9, 2021

The United States entered this match with a pair of draws in the Octagonal, which is comprised of eight CONCACAF teams playing home-and-home series in a round-robin format to determine World Cup qualifiers. The U.S. registered a 0-0 result at El Salvador (in San Salvador) and a 1-1 result versus Canada in Nashville to start.

Wednesday's win is certainly encouraging for a team that looked like it would begin World Cup qualifying without a win in three straight matches after the first 45 minutes, but the United States' new look is certainly encouraging going forward.

The top three teams in the table will automatically advance to the World Cup. The fourth-place side will go to a home-and-home playoff with a team from another federation to determine an additional World Cup participant.

It's still very early with the United States still having 11 matches left, but the Americans are now level with Canada and Panama for second in the table at five points apiece. Canada currently has the tiebreaker edge there.

Mexico is first with seven points. Honduras is now tied with Costa Rica and El Salvador for fifth with two points. Jamaica is last with one point.

The United States' next World Cup qualifying match is scheduled for Oct. 7 against Jamaica in Austin, Texas.

The United States men's national team is off to a less-than-ideal start in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. 

The USMNT drew the first two games and now faces a tough road trip to play Honduras on Wednesday. 

To further complicate matters, midfielder Weston McKennie was sent home for violating COVID-19 protocols prior to Sunday's home draw with Canada.

Additionally, the Americans will be without defender Sergino Dest because of injury and goalkeeper Zack Steffen because of a positive COVID-19 test. 

Honduras comes into the clash with two points from a pair of road games against Canada and El Salvador. 

        

USMNT vs. Honduras Info

Date: Wednesday, September 8

Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET 

TV: Telemundo, NBC Universo

Live Stream: Paramount Plus

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT (-120; bet $120 to win $100); Honduras (+350; bet $100 to win $350); Draw (+215)

      

Preview

The USMNT entered World Cup qualifying with two trophies from the summer. 

However, the shine from the victories over Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup wore off after the two draws against El Salvador and Canada. 

The scoreless affair with El Salvador to open qualifying was an acceptable result, but the Americans did not improve in their 1-1 tie with Canada. 

McKennie's absence for the Canada match hurt the USMNT's ability to control the game in midfield. Canada created most of its scoring chances through transition opportunities that McKennie might have been able to slow down. 

Berhalter addressed the McKennie situation on Tuesday during his pre-match press conference, per MLSSoccer.com's Tom Bogert:

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter on sending Weston McKennie home:

"When you talk about team policy and rules, what we're trying to accomplish is the team. The team comes first. We made this decision for the long-term. ... It is what it is."

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 7, 2021

San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill was called into the USMNT squad as a replacement. 

The USMNT did not replace the injured Dest, who suffered a right ankle sprain in the draw with Canada. 

With limited options at full-back, Berhalter could shift to a three-man defense. He has an abundance of center-backs available to make that move. John Brooks, Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie and James Sands are the center-backs in camp. 

Only Brooks started in the home match versus Canada, so he should be called upon to anchor the back line no matter the alignment. 

Sands, a 21-year-old rising star at New York City FC, could receive an opportunity to shine. 

Tyler Adams and Kellyn Acosta will likely patrol the center of midfield with McKennie not available, while Christian Pulisic will be involved in the attack in some capacity. 

The biggest attacking question comes at forward, where the available options have been ineffective. Josh Sargent started against El Salvador, and Jordan Pefok began the match versus Canada up top, but neither player was able to find the back of the net. 

Berhalter's bold play would be to start the in-form Ricardo Pepi, who has 11 goals and two assists in 21 matches for FC Dallas. Starting an 18-year-old on the road in World Cup qualifying would be a risky move, but it could work. 

As for Honduras, it is coming off a 1-1 draw with Canada and a scoreless result with El Salvador. Alex Lopez produced the only goal of the two matches with a 40th-minute penalty in Toronto. 

The Honduran squad is headlined by CF Montreal striker Romell Quioto and Houston Dynamo midfielder Boniek Garcia. 

During the last World Cup qualifying cycle, Honduras tied the USMNT 1-1 in San Pedro Sula and lost a 6-0 away game in San Jose, California. 

Honduras has a four-game winless run that dates back to the Gold Cup group stage after falling to Mexico in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. 

The USMNT should be able to get a result from the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano. 

              

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United States men's national team midfielder Weston McKennie was suspended for the team's 1-1 draw with Canada and sent home ahead of the matchup against Honduras on Wednesday after "spending a night outside of the team's COVID-19 bubble, as well as bringing an unauthorized individual back inside the bubble to his hotel room on a different evening," according to ESPN's Jeff Carlisle. 

Both instances violated the USMNT's coronavirus protocols. McKennie was sent back to Italy and his club, Juventus, by head coach Gregg Berhalter. 

McKennie, 23, is the USMNT's most talented central midfielder and one of the face's of the country's talented youth movement. The United States has gotten off to an extremely disappointing start to the final stage of World Cup qualifying, with consecutive draws, making his absence with a very tough road match against Honduras up next all the more impactful. 

"Weston will return to Italy and will be unavailable for the match against Honduras due to a violation of team policy," Berhalter said in a statement Monday. "There are high expectations for those who are a part of the U.S. Men's National Team, and in order to be successful it's important that everyone in the group is accountable."

Gregg Berhalter says that Weston McKennie hasn't been ruled out for future call-ups. Added that "The team comes first." #usmnt

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) September 7, 2021

The bigger worry is that a pattern may be emerging. 

Per Carlisle, "McKennie's off-field behavior has become a source of concern for both club and country. The Juventus midfielder, who tested positive COVID-19 last October, was suspended by then-manager Andrea Pirlo last April for hosting a party that included teammates Paulo Dybala and Arthur."

The United States will now go into its match against Honduras without several of its best players unavailable. Along with McKennie, Gio Reyna (hamstring) has reportedly traveled back to his club Dortmund, per ESPN's Derek Rae, while Sergino Dest is out with a right ankle sprain. 

That trio, along with team captain Christian Pulisic, is the fulcrum of the United States exciting young youth movement. Getting all three points the USMNT desperately needs, in a tough environment in Honduras on Wednesday night, will be extremely difficult without them.