Bocanegra lifts US past Honduras in WC2010 qualifier

Carlos Bocanegra dove low to nod home the winning goal in the 68th minute, giving the United States a 2-1 victory over Honduras in a North American 2010 World Cup qualifying match.

Landon Donovan sent a corner kick from right side of Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares to the far post, where Clint Dempsey nudged the ball down to the center of the goal area.

A diving Bocanegra nodded the ball into the back of the net for the decider, although the US captain was removed in the 72nd minute after straining a hamstring.

Honduras opened the scoring in the fifth minute after a turnover at midfield by Dempsey led to Carlos Costly’s left-footed blast past diving US goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The Americans equalized in the 43rd minute on a Landon Donovan penalty kick after a hand ball call in the penalty area against Honduran Mario Beata when a long pass bounced off the ground into his left arm.