Link Up: The reviews are in on USA’s lackluster loss at Honduras

By Jimmy LaRoue

The reviews are already in on the USA’s lackluster performance in its 2-1 loss at San Pedro Sula to Honduras in the opening game of the Hexagonal, 10 games that will determine CONCACAF’s representatives at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

In another edition of Link Up, here are some of the reviews of the USA’s performance. First, we sum up here what others are saying, then link you to the specifics to read for yourself.

Summary (The Good):

• Clint Dempsey’s goal and Jermaine Jones’s pass

• OK, this wasn’t a bright spot for the USA, but wow, what a goal from Juan Carlos Garcia.

• Michael Bradley

• The five USA players sitting on yellow cards didn’t get booked

• Jamaica played a scoreless tie with Mexico

Summary (The Bad):

• Mistakes (obviously). Watch USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann explain it:

• No Landon Donovan (though he will return at some point, says USSF president Sunil Gulati)

• Central defending

• Inexperienced back four

• Little in reserve

• Lack of fitness

• Excuses about the heat, turf, conditions, etc.

• Lack of possession

• Generated few scoring chances (lackluster in midfield)

• Jurgen Klinsmann

See for yourself (again, if you can bear):

The Links:

• USA loss to Honduras reveals weaknesses for Klinsmann’s side (Graham Parker – The Sport Blog/The Guardian)

• U.S. wilts late at Honduras in Hexagonal opener (Grant Wahl – Sports Illustrated)

• Let the fretting begin (Chuck Culpepper – Sports on Earth)

• World Cup 2014: Defenseless U.S. loses 2-1 in Honduras (Brian Straus – Sporting News)

• World Cup qualifying: U.S. men fall apart late in 2-1 loss at Honduras (Steven Goff – Washington Post)

• Soccer Insider: Final thoughts from Honduras (Steven Goff – Washington Post)

• Honduras 2, USA 1: Match Observations (Ives Galarcep – Soccer by Ives)

• U.S. wilts in Honduras in a World Cup Qualifier (Andrew Keh – New York Times)

• U.S. national team has a tough road ahead (Roger Bennett, Soccer USA/ESPN FC)

Have your say in the comments below. What went wrong, and what do you think needs to be done? Are U.S. fans panicking too soon just one game into the Hex?