The U.S. men’s national soccer team plays its first-ever game at Cowboys Stadium on Wednesday during the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the tournament that determines the champions of North and Central America. While USA and the other top teams are resting their best players, Team USA still has veterans Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley leading a squad that includes Kyle Beckerman’s rugged central midfield play, Chris Wondolowski’s goal scoring, and former FC Dallas players Eddie Johnson and Brek Shea, who have both popped up to score important goals for USA in this tournament. Together, they have USA on a nine-game winning streak and playing wide-open, attractive soccer, but they’ll have to deal with a Honduras team (nicknamed “Los Catrachos,” Hondurans’ slang name for themselves), which boasts experienced Osman Chávez leading the defense and a dangerous pair of attacking wingers in Andy Najar and former FC Dallas player Marvin Chávez, both veterans at facing USA’s players.
Following the USA-Honduras game is another enticing match-up, with two-time defending champion Mexico (“El Tricolor”) looking to avenge a shocking opening-match defeat to Panama (“Los Canaleros,” the canal workers). The winners of the two games meet in Sunday’s final in Chicago. The Hondurans will have their fans out in force here, so it’s important for USA supporters to turn up and show that North Texas can provide Team USA with a home-field advantage.
[box_info]USA vs. Honduras kicks off at 6pm at Cowboys Stadium, 1 Legends Way, Arlington. Tickets are $30-200. Call 800-745-3000.[/box_info]
