Late Goal Lifts U.S.

This time, the United States won with a late goal in Central America.

Clint Mathis curled a 22-yard free kick around a defensive wall and just inside the post with four minutes left as the United States beat Honduras 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday night despite missing four injured starters.

Earnie Stewart, celebrating his 32nd birthday, scored on a deflected 35-yard shot in the first half, but U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel was beaten by Julio Cesar de Leon's 32-yard shot early in the second half.

After Chris Armas was fouled, Mathis scored the go-ahead goal with a tremendous bending shot over a five-man wall.

The Americans had been 0-3-4 in qualifiers in Central America since September 1989, giving up late goals in a 1-1 tie at Guatemala last summer and a 2-1 loss at Costa Rica.

This time, the United States had to hang on while a man short in injury time after Cobi Jones was ejected in the 90th minute.

After two games in the finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, the United States (2-0) surprisingly finds itself in first place with six points, followed by Mexico and Jamaica (each 1-1) with three, and Honduras (0-0-1) with one.

Costa Rica (0-0-1) played at home against Trinidad and Tobago (0-1) later Wednesday night.

Each nation plays 10 games, and the top three qualify for the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

Stewart scored a surprising goal in the 33rd minute, taking a pass from Mathis and lofting a long shot that deflected slightly off defender Jose Reynaldo Clavasquin, who was just a few yards from him, and sailed under the crossbar. Goalkeeper Noel Valladares hardly moved.

Honduras, which hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 1982, came back with a long shot of its own. De Leon, who entered the game at halftime and is nicknamed "Rambo," took a hard left-footed shot that boomed into the far upper corner, leaving Friedel no chance.

Friedel, who blanked Mexico in the opener on Feb. 28, made several key saves. Kasey Keller, who is considered the top U.S. goalkeeper, also came back from Europe for the game and the decision by U.S. coach Bruce Arena to start Friedel was somewhat of a surprise.

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