US looks to wrap-up Qualification tonight.

After playing 16 games, it will come down to the last two matches to determine the United States' future concerning South Africa 2010. The United States leads the final stage of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying with 16 points heading into the final week of qualifying. The Americans already have secured a top 4 position, meaning the worst scenario for the Yanks would be to play the fifth place team from South American in a two game playoff (nightmare). However, there really is no reason why the Americans can not clinch a top 3 position, as the Americans only need to win against Honduras tonight, or tie Costa Rica on Wednesday. Even if they can not do either, there still is a good chance the Americans will advance anyway.

The task for the United States tonight is to secure a win on the road against a solid Honduras side. With the win the US will be qualified for the World Cup, and will not have to worry about securing a spot on the last day of qualification. Still, the idea of getting three point on the road for the US is not an enticing proposition. So far the United States are 1-2-1 in their other road matches, and have been outscored 7-5. In addition Honduras are a perfect 4-0 at home, outscoring their opponents 12-2. With this history one must wonder if Bob Bradley will take the conservative approach and play for the tie in a difficult situation.

However, the idea of clinching Qualification tonight is too big of an award to be passed up. A win tonight is a victory on two fronts, one the US is in the World Cup, now it is time to focus on next summer in South Africa. And two, the US is more than capable of going into a hostile crowd (literally), and playing and beating a home team that is looking for points just as much as the US are. The knock on the Americans being the 'Giants of CONCACAF' is that they can not beat the inferior teams on the road, and with a 1-2-1 record including a tie at El Salvador and a 3-1 in Costa Rica, those claims are justified. By winning tonight, the United States sends the message to the continent, and the world that the US is here to stay in terms of top-notch international football.

This summer's Confederation Cup success has put the Men's National team on the map in both the United States, and the World. While a disappointing performance in Mexico did taint that, the US are doing well in the second half of qualification coming into tonight with a two game winning streak. Tonight is not just about qualifying, it's about sending a message. Even if the Americans fail to win at Honduras, they still can qualify with a Costa Rica loss or tie. Still you want your destiny in your own hands, and relying on Trinidad to get a win at Costa Rica is never a good strategy. So for now, the equation to qualification is simple, win and your in. Otherwise Sam's Army might have to sweat through a last day qualification match with Costa Rica, a game that might decide the entire fate of US Soccer for the next for year. So for the US, win at Honduras, and avoid limping into the World Cup in South Africa.