Mathis Gives Honduras the Boot in a 2-1 U.S. Victory

A cement moat surrounds the field at Estadio Olimpico, and flanking the moat is an eight-foot chain-link fence topped by several strands of barbed wire.

Beyond that, on game nights, the field is ringed by helmeted Honduran national police officers, each carrying a baton and riot shield.

On Wednesday night, Clint Mathis somehow managed to overcome all these obstacles, slipping onto the field and helping the United States steal a World Cup qualifying match from Honduras with a dramatic goal in closing minutes.

The goal, on a swerving free kick that flashed into the net off the fingertips of Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares, earned the U.S. a 2-1 victory in front of a stunned and disbelieving crowd of more than 40,000.

It was only the fifth time in 23 games and more than 36 years that the U.S. has won a game in Central America. Its record coming in was 4-10-8.

“I was probably 22 or 23 yards out,” Mathis said of his game-winning free kick, which came after the Honduran defense had fouled Chris Armas.

“The keeper was kind of far over toward the back post, so I had time to get it over the [defensive] wall for it to dip in. The keeper got a hand on it, but it was able to go in.”

The goal continued former Galaxy player Mathis’ hot streak that has seen him set up Josh Wolff’s game-winning goal against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier in February and then score against Brazil in a friendly at the Rose Bowl earlier this month.

Wednesday’s victory was significant because it leaves the U.S. in a strong position to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The U.S. has collected the maximum of six points from its first two of 10 qualifying games this year. Costa Rica, which defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0, Wednesday night in San Jose, Costa Rica, has four points. Mexico and Jamaica have three points apiece, and Trinidad and Tobago has none.

The top three finishers among the six teams will qualify for the World Cup.

“Certainly, the defense was the best part of our team tonight,” U.S. Coach Bruce Arena said.

“With the changes we needed to make [because of injuries], we realized we would not be as fluid going forward in this game, so we’re very happy with the defensive effort from the midfield as well as our back four.”

The back four included veteran Jeff Agoos, who played a flawless game, and 22-year-old Steve Cherundolo of San Diego, who was playing only his second game for the national team.

“He’s a good player,” goalkeeper Brad Friedel said. “He’s young by age but not by nature. He’s a solid player. I don’t think anyone had any doubts about how he was going to play. Not everyone plays well when they get a chance, but he did.”

The U.S. had a 1-0 lead at halftime behind Earnie Stewart’s goal in the 33rd minute.

The move began with Mathis, who played a give-and-go with Armas, getting the ball back and sending a diagonal pass to Stewart at midfield. Stewart was loosely marked and unleashed a fierce shot from 30 yards that dipped just beneath the crossbar and gave goalkeeper Valladares no chance to make a save.

Honduras, which had gotten a 2-2 tie against Costa Rica in its first qualifying match and was favored to win this one in front of the home crowd, did not impress.

Only after midfielder Julio Cesar de Leon had been brought on as one of two second-half substitutes did the Central Americans begin to pressure the U.S. defense.

Carlos Pavon pinged a shot off the American crossbar before De Leon scored a goal that finally ended a remarkable shutout streak by the U.S., which had gone five qualifying games without giving up a goal, getting consecutive shutouts against Barbados, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Barbados again and Mexico.

De Leon’s rising 20-yard shot was past Friedel before he saw it.

But the U.S. managed to slow the Honduran charge and Mathis’ goal finished a memorable match for the U.S., whose only sour moment occurred in the 90th minute when Cobi Jones was given a red card for a retaliatory foul.

“It wasn’t pretty or anything like that, but it was important to get a result here,” said Stewart, who was celebrating his 32nd birthday and was given the captain’s armband for that reason.

“I guess if we had came away with a 1-1 tie everyone would have been happy, but this is even better.”

The U.S. has the chance to solidify its advantage further when it plays Costa Rica in Kansas City, Mo., on April 25.

And there will be no barbed wire or moats in its way there.