U.S. edges Honduras to qualify for South Africa 2010 World Cup

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Two second-half goals by Colorado Rapids’ striker Conor Casey and another by Galaxy forward Landon Donovan tonight earned the U.S. a 3-2 victory over Honduras and a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Honduras came into the match at Estadio Olimpico undefeated and untied in World Cup qualifying with an 8-0-0 record and having outscored its opponents, 22-3.

But after Julio Deleon had given the home team the lead shortly after halftime, Casey took over, scoring twice in an eight-minute span before Donovan added a third goal four minutes later.

Honduras fought back and cut the deficit to a single goal when Deleon scored his second of the night, but a missed penalty kick by Donovan’s former Galaxy teammate, Carlos Pavon, in the 87th minute ruined Honduran chances of even getting a tie.

For a full report on all of today’s World Cup qualifiers, please see www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/ later this evening.

-- Grahame L. Jones