From Obscurity to the Big Stage

March 11, 2010

Wednesday, October 14th 2009-A date in which every fan of the Honduran National team will remember quite fondly when American left back Jonathan Bornstein scored in the final minutes of the US’s last world cup qualifier against Costa Rica in Washington DC. By virtue of that result and El Salvador’s defeat at home to Honduras, Honduras qualified for only their second world cup. Celebrations in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa rang through the night with chants of “Bornstein, Bornstein”. Jonathan Bornstein eventually auctioned off the boots he wore when he scored the game-tying goal against Costa Rica goal for nearly $2,000, all of which went to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Honduran fans have been suffering for years of the disappoint of not seeing the team qualify for a World Cup since the 1982 World Cup that was held in Spain. In their last appearance, two impressive draws against Spain and Northern Ireland gave them a chance at making it out of the group stage, though a one-nil loss to Yugoslavia doomed them to last place in the group. Since then, a last gasp chance at making it to Korea/Japan 2002 was the closest Honduras has been.

The Honduran National team is made up of several European based players. Some of the most well known players ply their trade in the English Premier League. Wilson Palacios was on trial with Arsenal but could not seal a move with the Gunners since they were in excess of midfielders. A phone call to Steve Bruce sealed a loan deal between Palacios’s Honduran club Olimpia and Birmingham City. Steve Bruce left for Wigan Athletic and brought Wilson Palacios who flourished at Wigan alongside Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia. Palacios eventually sealed a deal to Tottneham Hotspur for £13 million. He’s arguably the hardest working midfielder in the premier league who’s role in Tottenham’s midfield resembles very much like that of Claude Makelele, though he has the skill set and technical ability of a Joe Cole type winger. Because of his hard work, Tottenham are in contention of reaching a Champion’s league spot. The other two Hondurans play together for Wigan Athletic. Maynor Figueroa has been an anchor for Wigan’s defense for several seasons now and recently made headlines for his 56-yard strike against Stoke City. Hendry Thomas is another player who has been a mainstay in Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Side.

Apart from the three Hondurans who play in England, Honduras or “La Bicolor” has relied on Striker David Suazo who has struggled since he transferred to Italian club Inter Milan. A loan move to Portuguese side Benfica did not change his fortunes and he recently moved on loan to Genoa for more playing time. Edgar Alvarez is a speedy winger playing for Seria A club Bari. Free kick specialist Julio Cesar “Rambo” De Leon spent several seasons in Serie A with Reggina and Genoa, but now finds himself playing for Serie B side Torino after helping Parma reach promotion. Many other members of the Honduran national side play in either the Honduran domestic league or in the American Major Soccer League. Several also ply their trade in Belgium and Romania. Overall, The National side has never had this many players playing in European domestic leagues making it arguably the best Honduran side seen in quite awhile.

By Edwin Reyes

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