Philadelphia Union: Bedoya plays, U.S.A rout Honduras 6-0

March 24, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) during the second half of the Men’s World Cup Soccer Qualifier against the Honduras at Avaya Stadium. The United States defeated Honduras 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya came on as a first-half substitute in the United States‘ 6-0 World Cup Qualifying win over Honduras on Friday evening.

Bruce Arena‘s side desperately needed a victory on Friday after suffering back-to-back qualifying losses in November under former manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

The USMNT welcomed Honduras to Avaya Stadium in San Jose hoping to move up the table and out of last-place.

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Five minutes in, the U.S.A. got the perfect start as Sebastian Lletget tapped home their opening goal from close range. Lletget was in the perfect place as he bundled home Christian Pulisic‘s rebound.

However, Lletget had to leave the match after 18 minutes due to an ankle injury. Alejandro Bedoya was brought on to replace the injured mifielder.

Bedoya quickly made an impact as he assisted on the U.S.A.’s second goal in the 27th minute. Michael Bradley‘s left-footed effort found the bottom right corner for a 2-0 U.S.A. lead.

Striker Clint Dempsey extended the hosts to 3-0 five minutes later as he finished off Pulisic’s through-ball. A commanding 3-0 lead is what the U.S.A. took into the half-time break, knowing more goals could be on the horizon.

Fifteen seconds into the second stanza saw Pulisic slide home the U.S.A.’s fourth goal of the match. The rout continued as Dempsey rounded Honduras keeper Donis Escober minutes later and tap home his second goal of the match.

Dempsey’s perfect return to the U.S.A. lineup was capped off with a brilliantly taken 54th minute free-kick. His right-footed effort beat Escober to the top-left corner for a 6-0 scoreline.

6-0 would be the final from San Jose, which saw the United States jump from sixth to fourth in the CONCACAF group standings. They doubled Honduras in shots-on-goal, eight to four, while Tim Howard made four saves in the clean sheet.

As for Bedoya, he played an important role in the U.S.A.’s second goal of the match. He also finished the match with a 91% passing completion rate, made two interceptions, and won four duels for the team.

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The United States have a quick turn-around as they have their fourth match of qualifying on March 28th. They travel to third-place Panama, who are coming off a shocking 1-0 road defeat at Trinidad & Tobago on Friday night.

If Lletget is not fit to go, I expect Bedoya to start in midfield for Arena and will look to make a huge difference yet again.

Following Tuesday’s WCQ, Bedoya will return to the Philadelphia Union as they face D.C. United in MLS action on April 1st at RFK Stadium.

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