Dempsey hat trick helps US crush Honduras

SAN FRANCISCO — Clint Dempsey made a fairytale return to international duty with a hat trick as the United States reignited its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of Honduras Friday. Dempsey, playing his first international since recovering from a heart problem that forced a six-month layoff, scored goals in each half as the Americans romped to a crucial victory at San Jose’s Avaya Stadium. The US had suffered back-to-back defeats in its opening two games of CONCACAF’s final qualifying round in November, losses that led to the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann and the reappointment of veteran coach Bruce Arena. Though Dempsey grabbed the headlines with his hat trick, Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic was the heartbeat of a scintillating US performance, scoring one goal and creating three others during the rout. Los Angeles Galaxy forward Sebastian Lletget and captain Michael Bradley scored the other American goals on a night when almost everything went right for the hosts. The US effectively sealed victory with a devastating first half-hour which saw the home side race into a 3-0 lead. - US climb The win helped the US climb off the bottom of the group into fourth place in the six-team standings with three points. The US faces a trip to Panama, beaten 1-0 by Trinidad and Tobago earlier Friday, in its next game. “It’s a good start towards working our way back into a good spot,” US captain Bradley said. “We’ll take it for what it is — three points.” In Friday’s other match, Mexico moved to the top of the qualification standings with a 2-0 defeat of Costa Rica. Javier Hernandez and Nestor Araujo scored the goals for Mexico, who lead with seven points from three games. The top three finishers in the six-team “Hexagonal” qualifying competition qualify automatically for next year’s Finals in Russia. The fourth placed team faces a playoff against a side from Asia. — AFP