United States vs. Honduras: Winners and Losers from International Friendly

For the second time in less than a week, the United States carried a lead into the final minutes of an international friendly only to concede a late, heartbreaking equaliser.

Jozy Altidore had spotted the hosts a 1-0 lead over Honduras after 10 minutes on Tuesday night, but it was the guests who dominated after the restart and finally broke through in the 86th minute when Maynor Figueroa headed Mario Martinez’s free-kick past Nick Rimando.

In a rather curious decision, United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann deployed Mix Diskerud as a defensive midfielder while Michael Bradley operated at the tip of a midfield diamond, and traditional midfielder Jermaine Jones was used in the centre of defense.

Following are some of the winners and losers from the 1-1 draw in Boca Raton, Florida.

Winner: Jozy Altidore, Who Took His Goal Well

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Moments before scoring, Jozy Altidore should have attempted a shot on goal when he instead decided to play a lateral pass to team-mate Clint Dempsey.

It didn’t come off, but not long after, he made amends for the mistake.

Accepting Michael Bradley’s pass, the Sunderland striker cut inside from the left and beat Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escober with an accurate, right-footed finish to the near corner.

Loser: Roger Rojas, Who Was Anonymous Once Again for Honduras

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Roger Rojas struggled to do much of anything last week against Mexico, and on Tuesday, the Al-Ettifaq striker failed to make an impact against the United States.

Not once did the 24-year-old test American goalkeeper Nick Rimando, and it’s telling that after his substitution at the interval, Honduras were far more enterprising in the attacking third.

Romell Quioto in particular impressed for the guests in his sixth appearance for his country.

Winner: Jermaine Jones, Who Looked a Natural Defender

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If using Jermaine Jones as a defender was United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s most audacious experiment on Tuesday, it didn’t look it.

The New England midfielder seemed a natural fit at centre-back alongside Matt Besler, and despite picking up a yellow card, he generally conducted himself with efficiency at the back.

In the 83rd minute, he made a spectacular, well-timed tackle on Romell Quioto, who had run inside the box. Had he been careless in his challenge, he would have conceded a penalty and picked up a yellow card.

The 32-year-old was also a good distributor of the ball over the 90 minutes and showed confidence in his frequent dribbles out of the defense.

Following the match, Klinsmann raved about Jones' performance, telling Ives Galarcep of Sporting News he valued the player's leadership qualities.

"We’re trying to push [the ball] kind of higher up the field, encourage them to go one against one, maybe balls drop over the backline, be loud and vocal and clean passes as well, which is one of [Jones'] trademarks," Klinsmann said.

In other words, look for the former Schalke man to continue in the role going forward.

Losers: Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco and the Unused American Defenders

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What does it say about the likes of Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco and Tim Ream that Jermaine Jones started in the centre of defense on Tuesday?

All three, in addition to Geoff Cameron, Clarence Goodson and others, had previously been used by Jurgen Klinsmann at the centre-back position, but in Boca Raton, the United States' manager preferred to use Jones—a converted midfielder—in the role.

For what it’s worth, Jones repaid Klinsmann’s faith with an effective performance alongside Matt Besler.

Winner: Maynor Figueroa, Who Scored Late

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Last Friday, it was Ecuador equalising in the 88th minute against the United States; on Tuesday, it was Honduras and Maynor Figueroa.

With four minutes remaining, the Hull City defender outjumped Jermaine Jones to Mario Martinez’s free-kick and headed the ball past American goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

Then, just seconds later, he backed up his play in the final third with an important challenge on Jozy Altidore in his own half of the pitch.

Loser: Michael Bradley, Who Struggled in a Playmaking Role

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Michael Bradley may have played an important part in the buildup to Jozy Altidore’s opener, but after that 10th-minute pass, he was mostly unimpressive against Honduras.

Used in a playmaking role at the tip of a midfield diamond, the Toronto FC man gave the ball away with alarming frequency and often drifted back into his old position, which Mix Diskerud was occupying.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, he gifted the ball to Honduras midfielder Jorge Claros, and but for more incision the guests might have taken advantage of the giveaway.