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US Clinches World Cup Berth

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 11, 2009 6:10 AM CDT

(AP) – American players danced in the locker room and swigged bubbly after a thrilling victory last night in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, earned the US soccer team a trip to South Africa and another chance to impress at the World Cup. In one of the most exciting end-to-end matches the US has played in many years, the Americans took a 3-1 lead before Honduras closed on Julio Cesar De Leon's second goal of the game in the 78th minute.

Conor Casey scored his first two international goals in the second half, Landon Donovan added another and the United States clinched its sixth straight World Cup berth with a game to spare by rallying to beat Honduras 3-2. "It never gets old, that's for sure," Donovan said. "After what most of us would say was a very disappointing 2006 World Cup, we now have a chance at redemption."  

U.S. Landon Donovan, top, celebrates with teammate Stuart Holden after scoring against Honduras during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009. U.S. won 3-2 and classified for the 2010 World Cup.
U.S. Landon Donovan, top, celebrates with teammate Stuart Holden after scoring against Honduras during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009. U.S....   (Claudio Cruz)
U.S. Conor Casey, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Julio Cesar De Leon during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.
U.S. Conor Casey, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Julio Cesar De Leon during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Claudio Cruz)
U.S. Charles Davies, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Emilio Izaguirre during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.
U.S. Charles Davies, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Emilio Izaguirre during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Claudio Cruz)
U.S. Charles Davies, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Emilio Izaguirre during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.
U.S. Charles Davies, left, fights for the ball with Honduras' Emilio Izaguirre during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Claudio Cruz)
Honduras' Julio Cesar De Leon celebrates after scoring against U.S. during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.
Honduras' Julio Cesar De Leon celebrates after scoring against U.S. during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009.   (Claudio Cruz)
A Honduras' fan reacts during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against U.S. in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009. U.S. won 3-2 and classified for the 2010 World Cup.
A Honduras' fan reacts during a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against U.S. in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday Oct. 10, 2009. U.S. won 3-2 and classified for the 2010 World Cup.   (Claudio Cruz)
U.S. Conor Casey  celebrates after scoring during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.
U.S. Conor Casey celebrates after scoring during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009.   (Eduardo Verdugo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
jbcorny
Oct 11, 2009 11:44 AM CDT
we really need to come up with a more creative cheer. i cringe whenever i hear this.
NxBigmouthery
Oct 11, 2009 8:58 AM CDT
It's a pretty light group stage for the US, isn't it? The only real threat is Mexico. Congrats, though and see you in South Africa.
divetrader
Oct 11, 2009 2:44 AM CDT
Oh God...more berthers.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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