Houston we don’t have a problem. Gold Cup delivers a Central American football feast

Honduras 2 – El Salvador 0

June 21 – A piece of Central America proudly and unashamedly parked itself in Space City tonight. The Shell Energy Stadium in Houston has frequently staged Gold Cup nights of passion and community. This Saturday is was extra special.

Not even Donald Trump’s draconian immigration enforcement was going to stop this celebration of identity and heritage, and ultimately Americanism.

The stadium was close to capacity with 20,526 making the noise of double that. Outside the temperature had cooled to 85˚. Inside the players and fans turned it up to boiling point. Forget Juventus being paraded in the Oval office for political brownie points, this is what football is meant to be about and thank you El Salvador, Honduras and all their fans for reminding us that this game is for everyone.

There was no segregation of Honduran and El Salvadorean fans who shared the stands and their community equally. From the belting out of both national anthems to the belting the players gave each other on the pitch, there was very little to dislike.

Honduras came into the game on the back of an unexpected 6-0 spanking at the hands of Canada. El Salvador had battled the physicality of Curaçao for a draw. Neither team needed additional motivation in front of the home-from-home fans.

El Salvador started the brighter of the two teams but goal opportunities were hard to come by. The midfield battle ground was no place for the feint hearted and while Honduras had the size and weight advantage, El Salvador had a bite to their competitiveness.

It took a moment of explosive power and beauty to break the deadlock in the 33^rd minute.

Honduras, on the counter attack, fed the ball to Edwin Rodríguez who split the El Salvadorean central defender with pass the Romell Quioto ran on to and hit right footed from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner of Gonzalez’s goal.

Going in 1-0 up at half time Honduras re-started on the defensive. Without the ball El Salvador’s midfield and wingers swarmed and pressed to force mistakes. On the ball they were comfortable and elegant, even when bounced by their meatier opposition.

On the hour mark Jairo Henriquez curled a shot from the right over Honduras keeper Edrick Menivar’s bar.  El Salvador were increasingly getting players int the Honduran box.

El Salvador’s Jeferson Valladares was a constant threat on the right. Henriques shot from distance but nothing was truly testing Menjivar.

An Enrico Duenas corner found the head of Julio Sibrian but went over the bar. It was end to end with Honduras muscling up and down the pitch with intent.

The drums beat out the hight tempo rhythm of the game, two El Salvador fans enlisted a Honduran to start a Mexican wave, the ball boy fell over the ad hoarding but re-emerged to the crowd’s delight, and the piracy police patrolled the press box ruthlessly for illegal streamers and photo takers. A guy in the cheap seats joined the action, catching a ball walloped into the top tier, putting it under his arm and sitting down, all captured on the big screen to everyone’s delight. And still the band played on.

Four minutes into added time a Duenas free kick in the right hand corner was hit into the Honduras box that was filled with the rest of the El Savadorian team bar their keeper. It was headed away and Dixon Ramirez broke fastest heading toward Martinez who was on half way. Pushing it one side of Martinez he rounded him to pick up the ball and stroke into an empty net. 2-0 Honduras and game over.

El Salvador now face a Canada who will be licking their wounds after a draw with Curaçao but can’t progress into the next round. Honduras face Curaçao for a winner takes all tie.

Thank you fans said the big screen. Futbol y Pasion said a broadcaster’s t-shirt. Yes to both of those messages.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1750578048labto1750578048ofdlr1750578048owedi1750578048sni@n1750578048osloh1750578048cin.l1750578048uap1750578048