USA vs. Honduras: Each Team's Keys to Victory in Gold Cup Semifinal

Two of the top teams in CONCACAF will battle for the right to play in the Gold Cup final. However, it will not be easy for either team.

The United States has been the dominant squad in this tournament, winning its four matches by a combined goal differential of 16-3. Only one of its opponents have held the team to fewer than four goals.

Of course, Honduras has been just as solid, with its only loss coming at the end of the group stage when the team rested its starters. In the other three matches, the team has not allowed a single goal.

This is a classic matchup between a great offense and a great defense and either side has a chance to come out on top. The eventual winner will be the one that best follows its keys to victory.

Honduras

Keep As Much Possession As Possible

Throughout this tournament, the United States has been able to do whatever it wanted offensively by holding onto possession and waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

The good news for Honduras is that it plays strong enough defense that few chances will open up. However, even fewer will happen if the team does its best to hold onto the ball when it comes its way.

Although not the squad's style, which usually focuses on solid defense and counter-attacks, it is a way to keep the Americans off the scoreboard.

Additionally, it will help create more opportunities on the offensive end. Honduras was shut out and only had one shot on goal in the last match between these teams. A safer attack will help get them on the board.

Key on Landon Donovan

There is no questioning who has been the key to the United States' offense throughout this tournament. Landon Donovan has three goals and six assists in four matches and has clearly been the reason the squad has been so successful.

In order to slow down the attack, a defense must be aware of where the midfielder is at all times on the pitch. The defenders must play close to him and win tackles whenever they get the chance.

Honduras needs to do whatever is necessary to force him to give up the ball as far from the goal as possible.

The reality is that few other players on the roster are able to create opportunities for their teammates. If Donovan is taken out of the equation, the United States will have a hard time scoring. 

United States

Keep Focus on Defense

As well as the squad has played in recent months, one of the biggest problems has been giving up goals off mistakes.

In the quarterfinals, a DaMarcus Beasley foul in the box led to a successful penalty shot for El Salvador. In other examples, a mental error by one of the players on the back line leaves an opening which the opposing team takes advantage of for a goal.

Although these did not hurt the team too much in the past, these same types of issues could lead to a loss to Honduras.

The U.S. is talented enough to keep a clean sheet without fouling or losing focus. It is important to stay on top of assignments for all 90 minutes and not allow a simple error to ruin the match.

Quality Finishes at Net

Scoring has been easy for the United States so far in this tournament. There have been so many opportunities that the players can simply put the ball on net and hope that it goes in.

In reality, there have actually been a lot of missed chances near the net due to poor finishes. These have been overlooked due to the final scores, but it could once again be an issue against Honduras.

Wednesday's opponent features arguably the top goalkeeper in the tournament in Donis Escober. He has not allowed a goal in his three starts and he can make some impressive saves over the course of a match.

It will be important for the players to place the ball to the corners of the net and not simply hit it as hard as possible. Otherwise, goals will be hard to come by in this one. 

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