That’s according to this report from Honduran Web site Diez.hn.
Coming to America? Honduras players pose for a photo before a World Cup qualifier soccer match against Trinidad & Tobago in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in September. Top row from left is Jerry Palacios, Mauricio Sabillon, Hendry Thomas, Eric Morales, Noel Valladares, Amado Guevara, and front row from left is Ramon Nunez, Carlos Pavon, Elvis Turcios, Maynor Figueroa and Emilio Izaguirre. (AP Photo).
Here’s a rough translation of the above report from newsroom colleague Gene Maddaus:
Upon learning Honduras’ rivals in the World Cup in South Africa, the friendly against Chile was canceled, but the Federation has not sat idly by, and it already has its first match lined up for the month of January.
“It’s no longer feasible to play against them – Chile – because of the draw. Also with Argentina, it represented a large expense for both squads, so we have already filled in the blanks and the first game will be against the U.S. on Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Home Depot Center,” Rafael Callejas, the president of Fenafuth (the Honduran Football Federation), confirmed to DIEZ.
That indicates that the Honduran team will begin to work out together in the first days of January. “Soon we will play in Europe at the first Fifa date in March, we don’t have a clearly defined team, but it should be one that has already qualified,” he said.
Callejas confirmed that they are counting on the requested funds to bring the team together for the needed time in Europe before the World Cup.
“We’re counting on 20 million lempiras, that’s what Fifa is advancing us. Though that’s within the amount we requested, remember that in addition to that money, there will be all the expenses for the 35 members who will travel to South Africa.”
“By already being there, they will cancel the travel allowances also.”
The only concern for the Federation will be that the players “have the highest physical and mental level to compete in the World Cup, we want to qualify for the second round,” Callejas said.
No confirmation yet from U.S. Soccer, which always likes to have contracts finalized before making a formal announcement.
Honduras was drawn into a World Cup group with Chile, Spain and Switzerland, BTW.
