Honduran News Rounds

    A little bit late, but nevertheless here’s a run down of the Honduran news, history, and story-lines of interest heading into tonight’s match.

    Honduras surprisingly lost first qualifying match on Friday at home to Panama, Tropigol.com with a brief match report, and a more general one of all the match-day one action from around the region. Interesting to note that Honduras is 1-3-1 in their last five road matches.

     Personnel wise, Honduras is slightly hurting. David Suazo will be a game-time decision, while Wilson Palacios is carrying a deep bruise and a possible concussion, according to one report.

    Returning to the side following suspension is Sporting Kansas City’s Roger Espinoza; his familiarity with BMO Field could be an advantage.

    One of their assistant coaches was in Havana, to get a first hand view on Canada’s tendencies. He believes Canada typically plays in the air.

    From scouting to spying, one reporter, upon learning that the Canada training session would be closed to the media, found a vantage point – probably the north concourse of the stadium – to observe the private session.

    They have also picked up on the fear that the stadium will have more blue than red, but admit Canada has done a better job of recognizing this important factor this time around.

    The last meeting between the two sides was a 2010 Friendly played in Montreal, which Canada won 2-1 on the strength of goals from Josh Simpson and Kevin McKenna, match report, courtesy of CBC.ca.

    The final warm-up match Honduras played before hosting Panama was against neighbours and long-time rivals El Salvador in Washington DC’s RK Stadium, match report care of The Washingtonpost.com.

    The latest installment of The Soccer War, for those unfamiliar with the conflict that erupted after long standing tensions came to a head following qualification for the 1970 World Cup, here are a few resources, The Equalizer keeps it brief, while Duke University’s The Politics of Football blog dives in deep.

    Soccer and politics have never been independent in the Central American nation. Time.com ponders whether the World Cup can save a divided country, while one report from PBS.org recounts a moment’s respite from the political turmoil that beset the populace at the time.

    One writer looks to the match in reference to the complex political situation that apparently ties the two nations together at globalresearch.ca.

    And finally, a YouTube playlist of the greatest moments in Honduran National Team history; none involve Canada.