Honduras names team to face the US on Feb. 6

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduras coach Luis Suarez on Monday named Wigan pair Maynor Figueroa and Roger Espinoza in his squad for the World Cup qualifier against the United States on Feb. 6 in San Pedro Sula.

Espinoza became a U.S. citizen in 2008 but opted to play for Honduras at the London Olympics.

Officials of the Honduran football federation said the afternoon leading up to the match will be a national holiday, boosting attendance and interest.

The match is in the first round of a home-and-away round-robin series among six countries in the CONCACAF region. Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States are in the hexagonal series with the top three teams qualifying automatically for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The fourth-place team faces an intercontinental playoff against the Oceania winners to qualify.

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Squad:

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Jose Mendoza (Marathon).

Defenders: Arnold Peralta (Vida), Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia),Victor Bernardez (San Jose), Osman Chavez (Wisla), Maynor Figueroa ( Wigan), Juan Pablo Montes (Platense), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Olimpia).

Midfielders: Luis Garrido (Red Star Belgrade), Jorge Claros (Hibernian), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Alex Lopez (Olimpia), Andy Najar (D.C. United), Boniek Garcia (Dynamo), Mario Martinez (Seattle), Aldo Oviedo (Real Espana).

Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England), Roger Rojas (Olimpia), Carlo Costly (Veria), Georgie Welcome (Motagua)