Late pair lifts Marathon over D.C. 3-1

August 19, 2009

Marathon scored a pair of goals in the final seven minutes to defeat D.C. United 3-1 in the opening game of Group C in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday night at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.

Jerry Palacios scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 83rd minute when he moved inside of D.C. defender Greg Janicki, took a touch off of Glen Brown’s flicked header and tapped the ball past goalkeeper Josh Wicks and inside the far post.

Five minutes later, Salvadorian referee Elmer Bonilla pointed to the spot after a trip by Janicki in the box and Mario Berrios added the insurance, putting his penalty high and to Wicks’ right.

Wicks saved Berrios’ first attempt, a low shot to his right, but Bonilla ruled Clyde Simms had encroached and allowed Berrios to take a second shot.

Janicki had a difficult match. His gaffe led to Marathon’s first goal in the 23rd minute as the defender missed attempting to clear Mauricio Sabillon’s open cross from the right, and Walter Martinez pounced, tapping the ball into the net.

Late in the first half, Marathon’s Uruguayan goalkeeper goalkeeper Juan Obelar tipped Andrew Jacobson’s shot from 30 meters as United had another corner. Following a second corner, Ben Olsen attempted to chip the goalkeeper from the edge of the 18-yard box, but his attempt was over the bar.

D.C. United coach Tommy Soehn made his first change at the half, bringing on Santino Quaranta for Jaime Moreno.

Three minutes later, Quaranta’s corner led to D.C.’s equalizer as Luciano Emilio headed the ball past Obelar after Julius James initial downward header was saved. Emilio headed in the rebound before being bloodied as a result of a clash of heads with defender Erick Norales.

In the 55th minute, Andrew Jacobson’s low shot from 22 yards out rolled just wide to Obelar’s right.

Quaranta played another great ball in toward the back post in the 63rd minute, but Obelar parried away Devon McTavish’s diving header for another D.C. corner.

The visitors appeared to tire late and Marathon took full advantage, dominating in the final quarter hour.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras

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Both teams resume Group C action next Wednesday with Marathon hosting Trinidad & Tobago’s San Juan Jabloteh and D.C. United taking on Mexican side Toluca at RFK Stadium.

Tags: andrew jacobson, ben olsen, bonilla, clyde simms, d c united, D.C., devon mctavish, Elmer Bonilla, Emilio, Erick Norales, far post, first half marathon, gaffe, Glen Brown, Goalkeeper, Greg Janicki, Honduras, Jabloteh, janicki, Josh Wicks, Juan, Julius James, luciano emilio, Mario Berrios, Mauricio Sabillon, rfk stadium, san juan, san pedro sula, Tobago, Tommy Soehn, Trinidad, uruguayan, Walter Martinez

Dos Santos chosen as Gold Cup MVP

July 27, 2009

NEW YORK – Giovani dos Santos, who scored two goals including one in Mexico’s title winning 5-0 victory over the United States, was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the 2009 Gold Cup and one of five members of El Tri chosen for the All-Tournament Team.

Teammate Miguel Sabah claimed the Golden Boot Award as the Gold Cup’s leading scorer with four goals while Costa Rica’s Keilor Navas was chosen as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

Dos Santos was joined in the 18-man All-Tournament side by teammates Guillermo Ochoa, Fausto Pinto, Gerardo Torrado and Sabah.

The United States, which won the Fair Play Award, and Costa Rica each placed four players on the All-Tournament Team, which was selected by the Technical Study Group, who also chose the MVP and goalkeeper award winner.

Navas was joined by teammates Jose Fernandez, Celso Borges and Alvaro Saborio, while U.S. defenders Clarence Goodson and Chad Marshall were joined by midfielder Stuart Holden and forward Kenny Cooper.

Award Winners
Most Valuable Player Award: Giovani dos Santos (MEX)
Golden Boot Award: Mighel Sabah (MEX)
Best Goalkeeper Award: Keilor Navas (CRC)
Fair Play Award: United States

All-Tournament Team
Goalkeepers
Keilor Navas (CRC)
Guillermo Ochoa (MEX)

Defenders
Mike Klukowski (CAN)
Freddy Fernandez (CRC)
Fausto Pinto (MEX)
Luis Moreno (PAN)
Clarence Goodson (USA)
Chad Marshall (USA)

Midfielders
Julian de Guzman (CAN)
Celso Borges (CRC)
Stephane Auvray (GLP)
Gerardo Torrado (MEX)
Giovani dos Santos (MEX)
Stuart Holden (MEX)

Forwards
Alvaro Saborio (CRC)
Walter Martinez (HON)
Miguel Sabah (MEX)
Kenny Cooper (USA)

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Tags: alvaro saborio, celso, chad marshall, clarence goodson, Costa Rica, crc, Dos, Freddy Fernandez, gerardo torrado, glp, gold cup, golden boot, guillermo ochoa, julian de guzman, keilor, Kenny, kenny cooper, luis moreno, Mexico, midfielders, Mike Klukowski, navas, pinto, Sabah, Santos, Stuart Holden, Tri, United States, USA, Walter Martinez

Honduras prevails over Canada 1-0 on PK

July 19, 2009

PHILADELPHIA – Honduras advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the third time, beating Canada 1-0 Saturday on a first-half penalty by Walter Martinez.

Playing before a spirited crowd filled largely with the familiar blue and white shirts and flags, Honduras – which lost to the United States in the 1991 final and in the 2005 semifinals – will travel to Chicago to face the winner between the USA and Panama.

“We knew anything could happen,” Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said through a translator. “We knew we had to play for 95 minutes and if we did, we would get the result.”

Honduras controlled the first 10-15 minutes, but Canada slowly began to take possession. The Catrachos, however, got its break in the 36th minute when Canada defender Paul Staltieri was whistled for an infraction on a bicycle kick attempt by Martinez. The ball ricocheted inadvertently off Staltieri’s hand and out of bounds.

Martinez capitalized by sending the penalty kick down the middle while Canada goalkeeper Greg Sutton dived left.

“All referees make mistakes and are human,” Martinez said through a translator. “I didn’t think it was a penalty, but I was able to score.”

Staltieri argued the call for what many thought was a handball, but earned a yellow for his tug of Martinez’s jersey disputing the decision by Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar.

“From the end of the bench, it looked phantom to me,” Canada interim coach Stephen Hart said.

Canada had a couple of good scoring chances earlier in the half, most notably in the 22nd minute.

That’s when Atiba Hutchinson received a pass from Patrice Bernier and fired from 15 yards. But Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escober was able to get low and block the attempt with his left hand.

Just when it seemed as if the momentum had changed for Honduras, Canada nearly tied the game. In the 56th minute, Bernier sent a cross in front where an unmarked Josh Simpson. But Escobar again was able to make a diving save to preserve the advantage.

Playing in its ninth Gold Cup since 1991, Honduras will be trying for its first championship. Honduras has failed to qualify for the Gold Cup only in 2002. It has advanced to the World Cup finals once (1982) and remains in contention for 2010.

“I think with our speed, which is our strength, we were able to manage the game and pack it off in the back,” Martinez said. “We were able to get the result we were looking for.”

Canada, meanwhile, was eliminated after a nice run through the tournament. It was hoping for a Gold Cup title for the first time since 2000.

“I’m very proud of the players,” Hart said. “I think we showed a lot of character.”

Canada lost in a disputed semifinal to the United States in 2007 and fell just short in a potential rematch. Canada has now lost two of three matches to Honduras in the Gold Cup. Honduras won their meeting in 1991, 4-2, while Canada was victorious 3-1 in 1996.

On this particular night, Canada wasn’t able to score despite a number of solid opportunities late in the second half. The best chance came in the 85th minute when Kevin McKenna’s header struck the left post.

“In the second half, we did much, much, much better,” Hart said. “Sutton came up big on chances. In the end, you lose on a penalty. What can you do?”

It was the second time Canada has lost on a disputed goal. In 2007, a Canadian goal was disallowed in injury time in a 2-1 loss to the United States in the semifinals.

“We executed our game plan pretty much the way we expected to,” Sutton said. “You take away the tough call against us in the first half, which I think explains itself, we held possession of the ball. In the second half, we created a lot of chances.”

By Andy Jasner

Tags: Andy Jasner, atiba hutchinson, bicycle kick, Canada, catrachos, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, Goalkeeper, Greg Sutton, handball, Hutchinson, infraction, interim coach, Joel Aguilar, josh simpson, kevin mckenna, kick down, Panama, patrice bernier, Paul Staltieri, penalty kick, Philadelphia, referee, referees, reinaldo rueda, stephen hart, third time, United States, Walter Martinez, white shirts

Penalty leads Honduras past Canada in Gold Cup quarters

July 19, 2009

Honduras are through to the semi finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 following a 1-0 victory over Canada in the quarters.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 36th minute. Stalteri fouled Walter Martinez in the penalty area and the forward himself struck the following spot kick right trough the middle with goalkeeper Sutton diving to the left.

In the remainder of the match Canada did push for the equaliser and came close late on when McKenna’s header hit the left post.

It is the third time that Honduras manage to reach the semi finals. In 1991 the Central Americans even finished second, and the third place was achieved in 2005.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Canada, Central Americans, concacaf, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, equaliser, Goalkeeper, Honduras, kick right, match, mckenna, quarters, remainder, semi finals, stalteri, sutton, third time, trough, victory, Walter Martinez

Honduras advances to quarters with 4-0 win

July 12, 2009

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – Honduras scored two goals in each half, advancing to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Grenada Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

With six points, Honduras finished second in Group B and joins the United States for the quarterfinals in Philadelphia, while Grenada, the smallest country to ever qualify for the Gold Cup, ended with three losses, no goals and being outscored 10-0 in its tournament debut.

Honduras will face Canada in the first of the quarterfinal doubleheader while the United States will play the nightcap against either Jamaica or the third-place team from Group C. Haiti also advanced from Group B and will face the winner of Group C in Dallas on July 19.

Los Catrachos wasted little time as Grenada was again victimized by a defensive gaffe. Allan Lalin played Walter Martinez behind the Spice Boyz defense and goalkeeper Andray Baptiste was late to the ball. He slid and missed at the top of the 18-yard box, as Martinez spun and tapped the ball into the open net to give Honduras a 1-0 lead 71 seconds into the game.

In the 10th minute, Roger Espinoza played a short corner to Lalin, curled to the edge of the 18-yard box but fired just wide of the target.

Espinoza wouldn’t have to wait long to score his second international goal, though, as his open header in the 25th minute doubled Honduras’ lead. Baptiste saved Martinez’s cross, but the ball popped high. Lalin headed across the goal to Espinoza and the Kansas City Wizards midfielder nodded the ball into the net.

In just his second international appearance, Delroy Facey nearly struck for his first goal in the 35th minute, but the Notts County forward bounced a shot from distance off the near post after beating Doris Escobar with the shot.

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Grenada captain Anthony Modeste missed the net following a corner on a near post attempt for the final chance of the first half.

Martinez set up his second goal of the game in the 56th minute, sending in a cross just outside the six-yard box where Melvin Valladares pounced in and bounced a header inside the far post to give Los Catrachos a three-goal lead.

A Lalin header forced Baptiste into a diving save in the 62nd minute and four minutes later, Michael Mark knocked down Mariano Acevedo, forcing referee Marco Rodriguez to point to the spot.

Carlos Costly’s penalty kick was saved, but he tapped in the rebound to give Honduras a 4-0 lead in the 67th minute.

Martinez nearly added a fifth goal on a brilliant solo effort, putting the ball through a Spice Boyz defender’s legs, but Baptiste made the save in the 78th minute.

Three minutes later Grenada nearly struck for its first goal of the tournament, but Marcus Julien’s attempt was saved by a diving Escobar.

In the 86th minute, Luis Lopez blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that glanced off the crossbar

By Dylan Butler

Tags: Baptiste, C. Haiti, Canada, captain anthony, captain Anthony Modeste, Carlos Costly, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, Dallas, Doris Escobar, doubleheader, Dylan Butler, espinoza, Foxborough, foxborough massachusetts, gillette stadium, grenada, Honduras, international appearance, international goal, Jamaica, Kansas City, kansas city wizards, lalin, Marco Rodriguez, Marcus Julien, Massachusetts, Melvin Valladares, Michael Mark, modeste, nightcap, Notts County, Philadelphia, quarterfinals, Roger Espinoza, smallest country, stoppage time, target, United States, Walter Martinez

Honduras beat Grenada to finish second

July 12, 2009

Honduras finish second in Group B of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009, following a convincing 4-0 win over Grenada. The USA finish first, and Haiti are through as one of the best numbers three.

The central Americans were never really troubled by their opponents in this final group match. Walter Martinez made it 1-0 after just two minutes and Espinoza doubled the advantage in minute 25.

In the second half, Honduras continued to dominate and Valladares added a third goal in the 56th minute. A penalty caused by Grenada’s Mark allowed Carlos Costly to make it 4-0 in the 67th, although the forward did initially have his spot kick saved by keeper Baptiste.

As a result, Honduras move into second place in this group with only the United States ahead. Haiti finish in third but have more points than Jamaica, third in Group A. As such, the Caribbeans are certain of a quarter final spot.

For Grenada, who failed to score a single goal in three games, this tournament is over.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: A. As, Baptiste, caribbeans, Carlos Costly, Central Americans, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, espinoza, final group, grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, jonathan, Jonathan Roorda, match, roorda, second half, three games, two minutes, United States, USA, Walter Martinez

Quaranta, Ching give USA 2-0 victory over Honduras

July 9, 2009

WASHINGTON -Santino Quaranta struck in the 75th minute to beat Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escobar inside the near post, lifting the United States to a 2-0 win against Honduras in a clash of Group B titans Wednesday night at RFK Stadium.

Brian Ching headed home an insurance goal four minutes later for the United States, which moved to the verge of the quarterfinals with six points atop Group B.

It was the fourth victory for the United States in as many meetings against Honduras in Gold Cup history. The Americans also defeated Honduras in a World Cup qualifier 2-1 a month ago at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the site of the Gold Cup semifinals.

The atmosphere at RFK Stadium was electric, as long before the opening kick the partisan Honduran crowd chanted and waved flags. The majority fans sung as one when the national anthem of Honduras was played.

But nobody knows RFK better than Quaranta, the D.C. United midfielder who broke a tense scoreless tie with his first international goal. Benny Feilhaber fed Charlie Davies inside the box and the forward laid the ball square to Quaranta, who ran onto the ball and struck from the top of the area to beat Escobar with a low, hard shot.

Four minutes later, Ching took a cross from Steve Cherundolo and powerfully headed it into the net from eight yards to seal the win for the United States and send the American fans into a frenzy.

While there was no scoring in the first half, there was plenty of drama.

Quaranta missed a diving header from 12 yards, sending it wide of the far post in the 15th minute.

Four minutes later, Walter Martinez was played in on Troy Perkins with a long ball over the top, but the American goalkeeper did well to come off his line and snag the attempt.

In the 22nd minute, Kyle Beckerman played Ching through and the forward had Escobar beat, but his chip was cleared off the line by a Honduran defender.

Martinez had the best chance of the first half on the half-hour mark, getting behind the U.S. backline and running in alone on Perkins. But the Honduran captain took a touch and went near post, putting his shot off the outside netting from 14 yards.

Four minutes later, Heath Pearce lofted a cross from the left and found an unmarked Freddy Adu, but his downward header from eight yards was saved.

The United States nearly capitalized on a Honduran defensive gaffe when Pearce pounced on a ball after Honduran defender Nery Medina tripped. The American left back crossed into the box, where Adu took a touch before Ching missed with a side volley in the 51st minute.

In the 64th minute, U.S. coach Bob Bradley made a pair of changes, bringing on Feilhaber for Logan Pause and Davies for Adu. Some 11 minutes later, those moves would prove quite fruitful.

Davies nearly had an unusual winner in the 71st minute as he leapt to block Escobar’s attempted clearance and the ball spun toward the open net before the Honduran goalkeeper recovered and pounced on it.

Both teams travel to Boston and will play the final game of the group stage on Saturday with Honduras facing Grenada and the U.S. taking on Haiti at Gillette Stadium.

By Dylan Butler

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Tags: american fans, B., backline, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, BOSTON, brian ching, Charlie Davies, Chicago, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, cup history, cup semifinals, dc united, Dylan Butler, far post, freddy adu, gillette stadium, grenada, Haiti, heath pearce, Honduras, insurance goal, international goal, kyle beckerman, many meetings, national anthem of honduras, Pearce, rfk stadium, santino quaranta, scoreless tie, soldier field, steve cherundolo, troy perkins, U.S., United States, USA, Walter Martinez, Washington, world cup qualifier

Honduras beats Nicaragua 4-1, claims semifinal berth in Central American Nations Cup

January 25, 2009

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Three second-half goals gave Honduras a 4-1 victory over Nicaragua on Saturday and put the Catrachos into the semifinals of the Central American Nations Cup.

The victory ensured Honduras of a fourth straight trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and a ninth appearance in 10 tries.

El Salvador edged closer to a fourth appearance in its last five tries in the Gold Cup with a 4-1 victory over Belize earlier Saturday. The results left Honduras atop Group A with six points, two ahead of El Salvador with the two set to face off Monday night in the first-round finale.

Nicaragua is third with one point, just ahead of Belize. The top two advance to the semifinals of the Copa de Naciones Digicel de UNCAF while the third-place team will earn a playoff for fifth place and the last berth in the 12-team Gold Cup field.

An own-goal by David Solorzano gave Honduras a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute, and Saul Martinez and Walter Martinez added goals in the final 17 minutes to complete the victory.

Playing without captain Amado Guevara, who was suspended after being red carded in second-half injury time of Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Belize, Honduras led on Mario Rodriguez’s goal in the 16th minute. But Armando Reyes equalized in the 30th for Nicaragua, which is seeking its first trip to the Gold Cup.

In the earlier game, Alfredo Pacheco converted a pair of penalties in the first 30 minutes and El Salvador recovered from its opening 1-1 draw against Nicaragua on Thursday.

Jeromy James pulled Belize within a goal in the 73rd, but Ramon Sanchez restored the two-goal advantage two minutes later and Carlos Ayala added insurance in the 88th.

Costa Rica was in position to claim a semifinal berth and a seventh straight place in the Gold Cup with a draw Sunday against Guatemala.

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Tags: Alfredo Pacheco, amado guevara, Armando Reyes, Belize, carlos ayala, catrachos, Central American, concacaf gold cup, Costa Rica, David Solorzano, El Salvador, first 30 minutes, goal advantage, Guatemala, Honduras, injury time, James, jeromy, mario rodriguez, MLS, nations cup, Nicaragua, ninth appearance, Ramon Sanchez, rsquo, saul martinez, semifinal berth, solorzano, straight trip, team gold, Tegucigalpa, tegucigalpa honduras, Walter Martinez

Nicaragua shocks El Salvador 1-1 to open Central American Nations Cup

January 24, 2009

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Nicaragua scored an 85th-minute goal to shock El Salvador 1-1 Thursday night, earning a rare result to open the Central American Nations Cup.

It was only the second time in 21 meetings against El Salvador that Nicaragua has not lost to its Central America neighbor. While Nicaragua’s best finish was fifth four years ago, El Salvador has finished third in the Copa de Naciones Digicel de UNCAF on four occasions. El Salvador also has advanced to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the World Cup which begins February 11.

Marlon Medina scored the equalizer for Nicaragua, settling a free kick in front of goal before shooting low to the right past goalkeeper Miguel Montes. Nicaragua had a fair amount of possession in the game, aided after the 25th minute when Salvador’s Shawn Martin was sent off for a second yellow card.

In the late game of the opening doubleheader, host Honduras overcame an early missed penalty by Amado Guevara and prevailed over Belize 2-1.

Nicaragua has drawn only one other game against El Salvador, 0-0 in a 1986 frienldy, according to FIFA records, and has been outscored 90-16 in games dating back to 1941.

The Pinoleros fell behind in the 18th minute on an own-goal when Carlos Ayala’s shot from the top of the penalty area struck Silvio Aviles, deflected high and over goalkeeper Denis Espinoza.

Nicaragua is seeking to match its best finish of fifth in 2005, a performance that would earn the Pinoleros their first trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this year.

In the late game, Honduras won despite Guevara missing a penalty in the 25th minute and getting expelled in second-half injury time.

Carlos Pavon, making his return to the national team after 16 months, won the penalty, drawing a foul from Shannon Flowers. However, Guevara pulled the ensuing spot kick just wide of the left post.

Guevara got a second chance seven minutes later when Harrison Roaches tripped Mario Guerrero as he crossed into the area. This time Guevara shot to the same side, but was able to tuck the ball inside the left post past goalkeeper Woodrow West.

Pavon also had a hand in Honduras’ second goal, setting up Walter Martinez in the 61st minute. Lisbey Castillo scored in the 86th for Belize, which has never advanced past the first round of the Central American championship.

Honduras will have to play its next match against Nicaragua on Saturday without Guevara, who received his first yellow card just before halftime and then was issued a second just before the final whistle.

The results put Honduras atop Group A with a second round of matches Saturday. Three-team Group B was to begin play Friday night with three-time defending champion Costa Rica facing Panama.

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