Mexican club drops Honduras trip as US Cup trip looms

September 29, 2009

Mexican club Toluca announced Monday it will not travel to riot-torn Honduras for a scheduled CONCACAF Champions Leaguematch on Saturday even as the United States eyes a World Cup qualifier there.

Toluca’s Red Devils, on a six-match win streak, are set to face Marathon at San Pedro Sula at the weekend but they could also advance from their group if host DC United does not defeat San Juan Jabloteh on Wednesday in Washington.

A United win would require a Toluca draw to advance in the regional competition but that would not be possible if they do not play the match.

The match is the first sporting event lost to the chaos in Honduras following a coup there three months ago, but it might be far from the last or the biggest.

The United States, fighting for one of three CONCACAF berths in next year’s FIFA World Cup at South Africa, has a qualifying match scheduled October 10 in Honduras.

Honduras has made an unlikely run into contention for a trip to South Africa as well and could claim the table lead with one match remaining by defeating the US squad on home soil — if the match takes place.

Safety and security concerns about the US delegation in the midst of the developments, to say nothing of security for the match, have some worried about playing the match in San Pedro Sula as planned.

With two matches remaining, the Americans top the table on 16 points, one ahead of Mexico and three better than Honduras with Costa Rica on 12.

The three top finishers seal World Cup spots. The fourth place team will face South America’s fifth-place team in a playoff to determine another trip to South Africa.

MEXICO CITY (AFP)

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