John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images. Pictured: Christian Pulisic.
Honduras vs. United States Odds
| Honduras Odds | +900 |
| United States Odds | -233 |
| Draw | +300 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-120 / -102) |
| Day | Time | Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | Paramount+ | CBS Network | Univision |
| Odds updated Wednesday evening via DraftKings | |
It’s the most meaningful Concacaf match since the pandemic began when the United States faces Honduras on Thursday evening.
For the U.S., it could at long last be manager Gregg Berhalter’s first opportunity to finally see his four best players — Christian Pusilic, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna and Tyler Adams — on the field together.
For Honduras, it’s only the third match of any sort the senior national team has had since 2019.
The Americans will be heavily favored in the first of two Concacaf Nations League semifinals in Denver. But Los Catrachos have proven a worthy adversary for the Yanks over the years.
Honduras Has Been A Thorn In U.S.’s Side
On paper, Honduras’ roster clearly isn’t the caliber of the United States, nor of their own best squads in the days of David Suazo, Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios.
Thirteen members of Fabian Coito’s 23-man group are based domestically, with another four in MLS. Only Cadiz’s Anthony Lozano plays in a big-five league in Europe, though Jonathan Rubio and especially Alberth Elis are coming off productive seasons in Portugal.
But Los Catrachos have earned some important results at the Americans’ expense over the years.
Most recently, the Honduran U-23s bested the U.S. equivalent in this spring’s Concacaf Olympic Qualifying tournament to secure one of two berths to the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Of course, Honduras was also the fourth-place finisher ahead of the U.S. in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, though it ultimately lost an inter-confederation playoff to Australia for the right to compete in Russia.
United States Finally Has Its Stars Available
While Berhalter has a roster loaded with young talent, he also has to grapple with a couple big questions.
Chelsea wide man Christian Pulisic is healthy, but only five days removed from a substitute’s appearance in a UEFA Champions League Final triumph over over Manchester City. And given his injury issues this recently completed season, it could be tempting to limit his minutes with an eye toward a potential Sunday final.
Then there’s holding midfielder Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig, who arrived to camp nursing a back issue is still questionable to be healthy in time for Thursday.
It was Pulisic unavailable for the team’s November European camp, then Adams and McKennie who were out in March for two more friendlies with Berhalter’s European-based contingent.
After the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the last thing anxious American fans want is for McKennie, Adams, Pulisic and Reyna to have to learn their chemistry together during a high stakes 2022 qualifier.
Betting Analysis & Pick
It’s hard to imagine track record means a ton given these sides haven’t met in nearly four years.
But it’s safe to say the U.S. is happy it’s not playing Mexico or Costa Rica at this stage, given its 13 wins in its last 17 against Honduras.
Much of that success occurred in the middle of a golden generation for Honduras’ national team program, one that included World Cup appearances in 2010 and 2014.
If anything, the talent is slanted more steeply in the Americans’ direction now. And although the U.S. has had a couple slip-ups against second-tier Concacaf opposition under Berhalter, more often they’ve played to convincing wins against such foes.
If you want more return on your wager, you might consider the over if the moneyline odds on the United States climb north of -300. Both teams are deeper in their front six than their back four. But for me, at -233 odds and an implied probability of 70%, the favorite is a simple bet here.
Pick: United States ML (-233)
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