HomeCONCACAF Round-upReeling Honduras loses to Israel; US tops Turkey: Mexico takes pyrrhic victory

Reeling Honduras loses to Israel; US tops Turkey: Mexico takes pyrrhic victory

A look at the three other teams who qualified for the World Cup from Costa Rica’s CONCACAF region:

HOUSTON, Texas — World Cup-bound Honduras suffered a second deflating friendly defeat in four days on Sunday as they were beaten 4-2 by Israel.

Honduras’ defense struggled all night and Israel — who did not qualify for the World Cup — made the most of the openings they were offered.

Honduras manager Luis Fernando Suarez made four changes at halftime seeking to turn things around after the team had fallen behind 1-0. Roger Espinoza woke the Catrachos with a 47th minute equalizer. But three second half goals  furthered Honduras’ misery.

Suarez acknowledged on Thursday after a 2-0 friendly loss in Washington to Turkey — who also failed to secure a World Cup berth — that his team had plenty of work to do.

Honduras’ next tune-up promises to offer an even tougher challenge as they take on England at Miami on Saturday.

The Central American side, seeking a first World Cup victory after qualifying for the third time, open their World Cup finals campaign against France on June 15, and will also face Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E.

U.S. downs Turkey

HARRISON, New Jersey — The United States continued their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 triumph over Turkey on Sunday.

German-born Fabien Johnson, one of U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s army of young, dual-citizenship footballers, made his first strike for the Stars and Stripes an impressive one, combining with U.S. veteran Michael Bradley for a superb 26th-minute goal that gave the United States a 1-0 lead.

American veteran Clint Dempsey exploited a lapse in the Turkish defense to double the score in the 52nd minute.

The match was the United States’ second friendly since Klinsmann announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil — shocking many by the omission of all-time leading US scorer Landon Donovan.

They defeated Azerbaijan 2-0 last Tuesday and will take on Nigeria in Jacksonville, Florida, next Saturday before departing for Brazil.

The United States are drawn in Group G along with Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2010 edition, Euro 2012 semi-finalists Portugal and one of the favorites for the trophy — Klinsmann’s native Germany.

Turkey didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but Klinsmann said they were a talented side that offered a good “benchmark” for his team heading into the global football showcase. 

Mexico dominates Ecuador, but loses key player

DALLAS, Texas — Midfielder Luis Montes will not compete for Mexico at the World Cup in Brazil after breaking his fibula and tibia during a 3-1 victory over Ecuador in a friendly on Saturday. Montes had just scored a golazo that put Mexico in front two minutes earlier when he collided with Ecuador’s Segundo Castillo during a race for a loose ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs73yBviMds#t=11

Montes was carted off in obvious pain on a stretcher in front of the pro-Mexican crowd of almost 85,000 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

It is a big blow for Mexico who are using this and other games over the next couple of weeks as a tune up to the 2014 World Cup. Mexico’s next international friendly is Tuesday against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Chicago. They play Portugal on Friday.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Study Reveals Key Coastal Habitats for Endangered Giant Manta Rays

Researchers tracking endangered giant manta rays in Costa Rica have discovered that younger animals remain close to coastal habitats while adults travel across international waters. The findings could help guide future marine conservation efforts.

US Embassy Links Chinese Mining to Illegal Gold Digging in Costa Rica, China Calls It Unfounded

The United States Embassy in Costa Rica has accused Chinese mining companies operating in Nicaragua of driving illegal gold extraction across the border into...

Tárcoles Crocodiles Have Prime Habitat in Just 13% of River Area Studied

Only about 13% of the lower Tárcoles River offers high-quality habitat for its crocodiles, according to a new study from the National University (UNA),...

Argentine Juan Martin del Potro Returns to Tennis Hall of Fame Ballot for 2027

Juan Martin del Potro has another chance to enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and fans have until Sunday, October 25, to help...

Uvita Mansion Hid 357 Cocaine Packages and Costa Rica’s First 3D-Printed Rifles

Police seized 357 cocaine packages and Costa Rica's first 3D-printed rifles at a luxury house in Uvita.

Planned US Embassy Visit Leads to Arrest of Man Wanted in Georgia

A man wanted in Georgia was detained in Costa Rica after US authorities flagged a planned visit to the US Embassy.

Study Finds Costa Rica’s Pesticide Use More Than 10 Times Global Average

Costa Rica uses pesticides on its farmland at a rate more than ten times the global average, according to a scientific study that raises...

Thousands March as Costa Rica Lawmakers Cut 8 Billion Colones From Public Universities

Thousands of students, university staff, union members and social activists marched through San José yesterday against cuts to public university funding. Late that night,...

Thousands of European Investors Fear Losses as Costa Rica Teak Scheme Collapses

More than 6,000 Europeans paid about 200 million Swiss francs for teak trees on 60 Costa Rica plantations. The seller is bankrupt and Swiss prosecutors are investigating.
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel