The US are one of the big favourites to lift the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday in Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas. They are set to face Honduras in the second match of the day after Panama and Haiti kick-start the competition.
The above mentioned 4 nations make up Group A and is said to be one of the toughest group in the competition, but the US are expected to progress further in the competition, while Honduras and Panama are expected to battle it out for the second spot.
The third team in the group also has a chance to progress as two best third-placed teams in the competition also progress to the quarter finals of the Gold Cup 2015.
The US have been impressive of late as they have defeated teams such as Germany and the Netherlands in international friendly matches, hence their game against Honduras should not give them much trouble.
The first game of any tournament is always an important game as teams want to start the tournament on a high. It will also give teams the much-needed confidence in their future matches.
"I think it's critical in a tournament that you start on the right foot with a good result right away," Sports Illustrated quoted US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann as saying.
"You want to build on that and therefore the first game is always very important. But obviously we know that this tournament is a little bit different to the World Cup. We are not in the 'Group of Death' right now, like we were in Brazil."
The US are one of the most successful teams in the Gold Cup as they have won the title five times, including their 2013 triumph when they defeated Panama in the finals.
On the other hand, Hondaras might have never won the title, but they can surely do better. Their best have been runners-up finish in 1991, which was the first edition of the tournament. They have also reached the semi-finals of the competition in the last three editions.
Under the guidance of Honduras manager Jorge Luis Pinto, they are expected to perform and challenge the US in their first encounter.
Pinto might come up with such a team to contain the US forwards and one should not be surprised if Honduras come up with five defenders at the back. It is at this juncture that the players such as Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore will need to rise to the occasion.
These two forwards may not have impressed in their last friendly against Guatemala, but they have to link better, else Kilnsmann will not mind replacing these players in the future matches.
Where to Watch Live
The US vs Honduras clash, which is the second match of CONACAF Gold Cup 2015, is scheduled for 9:30pm ET (7am IST and 2:30am BST).
Viewers in the US can watch their home team playing on Fox Network with live streaming option on Fox Soccer2 Go.
BT Sport 2 will air the game live in the UK.
