US loses to Honduras 2 0 in men’s Olympic qualifier, complicating Americans’ path to Rio Games

By By John Coon

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SANDY, Utah _ The United States lost to Honduras 2-0 Saturday in a men’s Olympic soccer qualifier, complicating the Americans’ path to the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Honduras is now set for the Olympics. It got a goal in each half from Alberth Elis to win this semifinal from the group representing North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The U.S. under-23 team will need to win the third-place game Tuesday to advance to play Colombia in a playoff and earn one last shot at the 2016 Olympics.

Before Saturday’s game, the U.S. had a 2-1 record in men’s Olympic qualifying semifinals. It beat Guatemala in 2000 and Canada in 2008 and lost to Mexico in 2004.