Tonight the United States Men’s National Team and the Honduras National Team will compete in a crucial World Cup Qualifier at Avaya Stadium.
The top three teams in the Hexagonal Round will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with the fourth place team going to a playoff for the last spot. With the United States in last place in the six-team bracket and Honduras just making the cutoff in fourth, it is a match that both teams need to secure points.
For Earthquakes veteran defender Victor Bernardez, the match will be the first time he will watch the Honduras National Team in person since retiring from the squad in 2014.
“I am really excited,” Bernardez told sjearthquakes.com. “I think you feel it and suffer more when you are watching from the sidelines rather than being on the pitch. It is helpful for me now as a fan to know what it is like to be on the field. I think I am blessed that the national team is coming here to play in my home.”
Bernardez spent 10 years with the Honduras National Team, during that time he competed in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and played a pivotal role in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 qualifying campaigns. During his 82 career caps with La Bicolor, Bernardez scored four goals.
While with the Honduras National Team, Bernardez faced the United States several times, but he never had the opportunity to face the United States in a World Cup Qualifier in the Bay Area. It is the first time since March 1997 that the US has played a qualifying match here. Twenty years ago, the U.S. faced Canada on March 16 at Stanford Stadium where they won 3-0.
Dating back to 1965, the United States and Honduras have met eight times in World Cup Qualifiers, with the US earning five wins, Honduras winning twice and one matchup resulting in a draw.
While the Honduras National Team is in San Jose, Bernardez will meet up with his former teammates, many of whom he now competes against in MLS with the Earthquakes.
“I am going to meet up with them and wish them the best. We know it is a difficult game. I always wish them the best as they were my teammates on the national team for a long time.”
During the game, Bernardez will be part of the Univision national broadcast, serving as a special guest and sharing his thoughts on the action as it unfolds on the pitch.
“It is a difficult and complicated game,” said Bernardez. “As a Honduran, I hope that we win but it will be a tough game. The United States need to win, but it is important to know that Honduras has interesting players too.”
The match will start at 7:30 p.m. at Avaya Stadium. The Fan HQ will open for fans at 3 p.m., while the gates for the stadium will open at 5 p.m.
