U.S.-Honduras Postgame

U.S. 1 Honduras 3

How to sum this one up Saturday in Carson?

Here's one way.

In general, there was way too much of this from Honduras and forward Jerry Palacios, seen here celebrating what was a sweetly taken second goal for the Central Americans (Photos by Steve McCrank).

And there was far too little of this
from the likes of second half sub Conor Casey, seen here making one of very few U.S. efforts on goal (the U.S. finished the night with all of two shots on target).

Here's another, from the always understated coach Bob Bradley:

"It wouldn't be a game where we're picking players who stood out."

Um, no.

He called the passing "poor," observed that the U.S. put itself in a "bad" position to start the game (joke your way out of that one, Jimmy Conrad) and that it was a "big task" for this particular group of (10) players to come back from behind.

And let's face it, any game where your most effective offensive threat is central defender Clarence Goodson is not going to be remembered as a vintage attacking performance.

Here's left winger Robbie Rogers, who moved to left back (a position he has practiced in the last few U.S. camps, BTW) when Jonny Bornstein moved into the middle after Conrad was sent off:

"I'm kind of bummed we started the year this way, but we'll keep our heads up, we'll keep moving forward.

"I thought we let them pass the ball, get a little bit too comfortable. It's tough when you play a team who are good technically and tactically. They can move the ball around and you're playing a man down.

Here's Rogers on why he took the 35-40 yard shot that hit the post:

"(I) just felt it. (I'm) kinda mad it went the other way. Wish it would have hit the post and went in."

Game story.

A wider view.

Check out Steve McCrank's photo gallery from the game here.

By the way, was this not the best performance by former Galaxy forward Carlos Pavon at the HDC?

For a lot of these players it will be the last time we see them in a national team camp, if previous January camps are any guide.

But some who attended, like 35-year-old former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, back in camp for the first time since starting the first two games of 2006, at least had realistic goals while there:

"It was a great opportunity to stay in shape, stay sharp and get back in with the team. I was excited about it and had a great time."

The Wizards open preseason training Monday. Hartman was off to make a phone call to see if he needed to be there right away.

Finally, I'll leave you with this thought.

The new 2010 USMNT media guide was handed out before the game today. Among the player profiles (surprisingly) included: Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones. But it's too late for him to make the roster given his recent injuries and the lack of USMNT games before Bradley names his World Cup squad. Isn't it?

The U.S. regroups in Carson in early February with a camp before traveling to Florida for the Feb. 24 game against El Salvador.