It wasn't, technically, a must-win for the US national team in the third round of the Hexagonal in CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying but it was darn close. Fortunately for the US, there was nothing close in a 6-0 win over Honduras.
The USMNT came into their World Cup qualifier against Honduras dead last in the Hexagonal after losing to Mexico and Costa Rica.
While the match had a heavy FC Dallas presence on both sides, it was only FC Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa who got any action. Figueroa, who has more than 100 caps, started for Honduras.
FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta and Walker Zimmerman had the best seats in San Jose's Amaya Stadium, as USMNT coach Bruce Arena kept them on the bench the entire match.
LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget got the US men off to a great start with a goal in the 5th minute. First half goals by Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey in the 27th and 32nd minutes, respectively, put the game essentially out of reach for the Honduran side before going into the locker room at the half. Dempsey finished with a hat trick after scoring in the 49th and 54th minutes. Christian Pulisic also scored in the 46th minute. It was the US' largest win in a World Cup qualifier.
The US earned its first three points in the Hex and moves from last to fourth place, just a point behind Panama. The USMNT can move to second with a road win over Panama on Tuesday.
Honduras will host Costa Rica on Tuesday.
The top three teams in the Hexagonal automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place team plays in a two-game playoff.