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Ticket to Tokyo at Stake for U-23 USMNT Vs. Honduras

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4 years ago

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OLYMPIC BERTH AT STAKE: The U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team will play for a spot at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Sunday night vs. Honduras (6 p.m. ET; FS1, TUDN). A victory will punch the USA’s ticket to Tokyo and its first Men’s Olympic Football Tournament appearance since 2008, as well as a place in the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Final.

The U.S. won its first two matches of Olympic qualifying to clinch a berth in the semifinals and dropped a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Mexico in its last match. Honduras topped an under-manned Haiti squad in its first match before tying El Salvador and Canada to finish first in Group B.

Fans can follow the U.S. throughout the tournament on ussoccer.com.

USA RESULTS – CONCACAF MEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING CHAMPIONSHIP

Date Opponent Venue Result
Thursday, March 18 Costa Rica W 1-0 Estadio Jalisco; Guadalajara, Mexico
Sunday, March 21 Dominican Republic W 4-0 Estadio Akron; Zapopan, Mexico
Wednesday, March 24 Mexico L 0-1 Estadio Jalisco; Guadalajara, Mexico


USA VS. HONDURAS:

  • The USA is 5-3-1 all-time vs. Honduras at Olympic qualifying, with all match-ups coming since the tournament became an Under-23 competition in 1992.
  • Honduras has qualified for the last three Olympic Games. Los Catrachos finished fourth at Rio 2016, falling to host Brazil in the semifinals.
  • Honduras qualified for the Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as one of three teams to emerge from the six-team Central American pre-qualifying. The six teams were placed into three two-legged series with the winners advancing to the tournament proper.
  • Drawn against Nicaragua, Honduras took down La Selecta on the road 2-0 and then won 3-0 at home to clinch its spot in Guadalajara.
  • Honduras named seven players to its roster who were born in 1997, seven born in 1998, three born in 1999, two born in 2000 and one born in 2001.
  • Fourteen of the 20-player Honduras roster compete domestically, with the most, four, coming from CD Olimpia, one of the country’s most successful clubs. Three play in the USA, while Honduras also has one player each in Chile, Italy and Panama.
  • Forward Douglas Martinez is a teammate of U-23 USMNT goalkeeper David Ochoa and defenders Justen Glad and Aaron Herrera at Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.
  • It’s head coach Miguel Falero’s second stint leading the Honduras U-23 squad. The Uruguayan enjoyed a long playing career in South America and Greece before a lengthy coaching career in Uruguay, Ecuador and Honduras.


FINAL GROUP STANDINGS

GROUP A

Team W L D GD Pts.
Mexico 3 0 0 7 9
USA 2 1 0 4 6
Costa Rica 1 2 0 1 3
Dominican Republic 0 3 0 -12 0

GROUP B

Team W L D GD Pts.
Honduras 1 0 2 3 5
Canada 1 0 2 2 5
El Salvador 1 1 1 -1 4
Haiti 0 2 1 -4 1


NARROW LOSS TO MEXICO: After opening Olympic qualifying with two important victories to secure its place in the semifinals, the USA dropped a tight game to Mexico 1-0 in its final group stage match. With both teams already qualified to the knockout round, the U.S. defense held strong for the most part against an aggressive Mexico attack but gave up a goal just before the half. The U-23 USMNT wasn’t able to find an equalizer after the break in a physical match that saw both teams combine for 40 fouls.

LOS CATRACHOS TOP GROUP B: Honduras advanced to the tournament semifinals as the top team in Group B. Los Catrachos opened against Haiti, who was only able to field 10 players at the start of the match due to COVID-19 protocols. Haiti started the match with a field player stepping in at goalkeeper, but had additional players cleared for action later in the match and were able to field a full XI. Honduras came out on top 3-0 with two goals from Darixon Vuelto and another from Edwin Rodriguez.

In its second match, Honduras drew El Salvador 1-1. After Los Catrachos took a lead just after the half on a goal from Douglas Martinez, El Salvador rallied for an equalizer to salvage a point. The one point was enough to clinch a spot for Honduras in the Olympic qualifying semifinals for the sixth straight competition.

In its Group B finale, Canada struck first, but Honduras responded quickly with a goal from Denil Maldonado just two minutes later. The affair finished 1-1, sending both sides to the semis.


CONCACAF MEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; HOMETOWN):

GOALKEEPERS (3): 12-Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union; Wayne, Pa.), 1-JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes, Alamo, Calif.), 20-David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake; Oxnard, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (6): 2-Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy; Lompoc, Calif.), 4-Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), 17-Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake; Las Cruces, N.M.), 3-Henry Kessler (New England Revolution; New York, N.Y.), 5-Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire FC; Bolingbrook, Ill.), 13-Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; Colorado Springs, Colo.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): 16-Johnny Cardoso (Internacional/BRA; Denville, N.J.), 18-Hassani Dotson (Minnesota United FC; Federal Way, Wash.), 8-Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal/CAN; Lemont, Ill.), 15-Andrés Perea (Orlando City SC; Medellin, Colombia), 10-Sebastian Saucedo (UNAM Pumas/MEX; Park City, Utah), 11-Tanner Tessmann (FC Dallas; Hoover, Ala.), 6-Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; Bloomington, Minn.)

FORWARDS (4): 9-Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas), 7-Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; Plantation, Fla.), 14-Benji Michel (Orlando City SC; Orlando, Fla.), 19-Sebastian Soto (Norwich City/ENG; San Diego, Calif.)

 


HONDURAS ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB):

GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Alex Barrios (CD Olimpia), 18-Enrique Facusse (RGV Toros FC/USA), 12-Michael Perello (Real España)

DEFENDERS (6): 3-Wesley Decas (FC Motagua), 16-Jose Garcia (CD Real de Minas), 2-Denil Maldonado (Everton/CHI), 4-Carlos Melendez (CDS Vida), 5-Christopher Melendez (FC Motagua), 6-Jonathan Nuñez (FC Motagua)

MIDFIELDERS (7): 20-Carlos Argueta (CDS Vida), 15-Kervin Arriaga (CD Marathon), 17-Jose Pinto (CD Olimpia), 7-Jose Reyes (CD Olimpia), 10-Rigoberto Rivas (Reggina Calcio/ITA), 14-Joseph Rosales (CA Independiente/PAN), 8-Edwin Rodriguez (CD Olimpia)

FORWARDS (4): 9-Juan Carlos Obregon (RGV Toros FC/USA), 19-Douglas Martinez (Real Salt Lake/USA), 13-Luis Palma (CDS Vida), 11-Darixon Vuelto (Real España)

TOURNAMENT FORMAT: Held quadrennially, the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship serves as the region’s qualification for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament and as a regional championship for Under-23 players. Since 1992, the Olympics have been contested as an Under-23 competition to differentiate the tournament from the FIFA World Cup.

The current format for the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship – eight nations divided into two groups of four teams – was adopted in 2004. The top two teams in each group advance to the pivotal semifinals, whose winners advance to the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament as well as the qualifying competition’s championship match.

Originally slated for March 2020, the Concacaf qualifying tournament is open to all players born January 1, 1997 or after. The age-eligibility rules have carried over from the postponement, so some players on the U-23 USMNT are actually 24 years old.

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Africa

Nigeria tears down Benin 3 – 0 in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers – Highlights

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5 months ago

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September 8, 2024

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In a bittersweet first half, Nigeria took the lead in stoppage time through Ademola Lookman and went into the break on top. Benítez’s side improved in the second half, but it was not enough. Nigeria stepped on the gas in the final half and Victor Osimhen made it 2-0 in the 78th minute before Ademola Lookman doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute. Nothing else happened in the match and Nigeria ran out 3-0 winners in the first match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei ex Dickson Ndiema in intensive care with 30% burns

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5 months ago

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September 8, 2024

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Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei ex Dickson Ndiema who burned Marathon star to death in intensive care with 30% burns

OLYMPIC runner Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex Dickson Ndiema who allegedly burned her to death is in intensive care with 30 per cent burns.

The Ugandan athlete, 33, died after her former partner snuck into her home and allegedly set her on fire – causing horror burns on over 75 per cent of her body, local media reported.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3bL0YM_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, tragically died
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Here she competed in the 2023 women’s marathon final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
AFP

Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Tuesday that Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her alight during an argument on Sunday.

He reportedly entered her home while she and her two children were at church.

As he allegedly set her alight using a matchstick he was also engulfed by the flames and rushed to hospital, Nation Africa reports.

Now the alleged perpetrator has been named as Dickson Ndiema who is recovering from burn injuries he sustained in the heinous attack.

He apparently has 30 per cent burns, Menach reports.

One of Cheptegei’s own daughters is said to have seen the deadly assault at her mum’s home, it’s reported.

She told Kenya’s The Standard: “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.

“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”

According to local media, the attack was launched after Ndiema allegedly snuck into her compound while she and her children were at church.

He was allegedly armed with petrol and poured it on the athlete before setting her alight with a matchstick.

In the process he too was engulfed by the flames, Nation Africa reports.

This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure

Donald Rukare President of the Uganda Olympic Committee

Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, spoke from hospital with his other daughter before she died and told local media that the pair were fighting over her land prior to the alleged attack.

He also confirmed to Kenyan newspaper The Star that his daughter’s two children are not fathered by the alleged attacker.

Mr Cheptegei also claimed that she and her ex-partner, who he alleges have been separated for a long time, are involved in a case being investigated by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Cheptegei was rescued by neighbours after the horrific incident in her town of Endebess.

She then spent days in critical condition at an Intensive Care Unit in Eldoret city’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, western Kenya.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X on Thursday morning: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.

“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

Inside Rebecca Cheptegei’s athletic career

BY Ellie Doughty, Foreign News Reporter

Rebecca Cheptegei, who has died aged 33, was a Ugandan cross country, long distance and marathon runner.

She had represented Uganda at global competitions since 2010 including the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and World Athletics Championships.

Cheptegei most recently competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s marathon race.

She finished in 44th place.

According to local reports, Cheptegei had two children.

She had recently moved to Trans Nzoia County to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities.

Cheptegei was a cross country, long distance and marathon runner who competed globally and most recently finished 44th in the Paris 2024 Olympics Women’s Marathon race.

People on X paid tribute to the athlete, writing “RIP” and “May her soul rest in peace”.

One woman added: “So so sad, watched her race many times.”

Another wrote: “Dear Ugandans, and to her family, we are sorry. This is heartbreaking.”

The president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Donald Rukare said in a post on X today: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.

“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”

The UOC is urging local law enforcement to “take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrator to justice”.

The pro runner finished 44th in the marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics.

How you can get help

Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

  • Always keep your phone nearby.
  • Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
  • If you are in danger, call 999.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
  • Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
  • If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
  • Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk .

Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3QfbtY_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca Cheptegei’s sister Evalyne Chelagat cries at a press conference this week
NTV Kenya
https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2V1WWk_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca’s father Joseph Cheptegei, speaking earlier this week from hospital alongside his other daughter Evalyne Chelagat
The Star Digital

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Houston

“You don’t win a championship by accident” – Hakeem Olajuwon

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5 months ago

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September 8, 2024

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How he responded to critics who diminished Houston’s back-to-back titles in the ’90s

Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 is a great milestone that forged “The Dream’s” name as a legend of the sport. However, many downplay the Rockets’ achievement, noting that they only won those chips because Michael Jordan was out during those years. Naturally, Hakeem himself doesn’t see it that way.

No accidents; pure excellence

The center legend clapped back at these claims by breaking down his team’s achievements during those years.

“You don’t win a championship by accident,” Olajuwon said , per Chron. “We had the best record in the league. Some people try to say, ‘Oh, [Michael] Jordan was out those two years; that’s why you won.’ That really doesn’t matter to us; we don’t have to prove anything.”

Hakeem’s claims are only partly true. In the 1993-94 season, the Rockets etched a 58-24 record for second place in the West. The Seattle SuperSonics, meanwhile, were the best team in the league but were upset in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

The following year, Houston had a 47-35 record and finished sixth in the West. This made their back-to-back title runs more impressive and showed how different playoff basketball is. The 1994–95 Rockets are, to date, the lowest-seeded team in league history to win an NBA championship.

MJ gave Hakeem and Co. respect

Even during the Chicago Bulls ‘ first and second three-peats, the Rockets were not necessarily contenders all the time, but they were still a pretty good team. It was always a hot duel whenever the two squads faced off in the regular season. Sometimes, the Bulls won, and sometimes, the Rockets snatched the victory.

“Even when Chicago was winning championships, and we had a more average team,” Olajuwon continued. “We were beating Chicago. We were good against Chicago. That is something we can always refer back to. We never played in the playoffs, but we played in the regular season.”

“He gave us all the respect, and that’s what’s important to me,” the legendary big man said of Jordan. “We were the champion. It’s not an easy task to win, and we got it done.”

It would’ve been a treat if Houston had faced Chicago in the NBA Finals. Some critics believe the Rockets would’ve annihilated the Bulls, given that they had no matchup for Hakeem, the only guy MJ feared .

Whatever the case may be, we should never doubt Houston’s back-to-back titles. It wasn’t their fault that Jordan was away during those years. When their ticket to the NBA Finals came, the Rockets’ took the opportunity and etched their names in NBA history. No one can take that away from them.

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