by Jamie Trecker

Honduras has been in chaos since June, when a military coup overthrew President Manuel Zelaya, the first such action in 16 years in the region. Since that time, diplomats have worked to try to restore stability to the nation, but with little success. Both sides have charged the other with abuses, and many in the region are worried about growing instability.

That tension caused some to look to FIFA and CONCACAF to relocate the game, the mere suggestion of which caused the Honduran Federation to erupt. Speaking to the Honduran paper La Prensa, secretary Alfredo Hawit darkly suggested that U.S. Soccer had lobbied for a move, and added, "That match belongs to us and we won't allow anyone to trample over us and take the game elsewhere."

Sounds like a potential barnburner, doesn't it? Well, good luck seeing it.

Because of a complex TV rights tangle — and, perhaps, due to a miscalculation on the part of U.S. Soccer and its commercial rights-holders, SUM — the game will only be seen on closed-circuit television in the United States. Both Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN tried to purchase those rights — both were turned down.

So, at press time, just 33 establishments had signed on to show the game in English (locations are available at www.copatvonline.com, which is experiencing crippling traffic) and nearly all of those are in major cities. All of them will be charging a cover of at least $15, as they were themselves charged $2000 for the rights to show the match and another $400 to install the required hardware (an informal survey of Chicago-area bar owners to guage their thoughts on the matter brought forth language that cannot be printed here).

All of this might distract from what could be a harsh test for an American side that looks pretty wobbly. Despite sitting atop the table, the Americans have not showed the regional domination its fans not only expect, but demand. Honduras, which is vying for their first Cup berth since 1982, has been a strong late-comer in the Hexagonal. Both teams need at least a point, but both teams would likely lock up a slot with a win.

But for once, it is the locals who are under pressure. Because of the political condition of the country, this game has riveted the population, and the team is under heavy pressure to deliver.

American manager Bob Bradley acknowledged as much yesterday in a conference call with the American media, saying "[We] are very aware of the fact that this game means everything to Honduras and to its people and that the atmosphere in the stadium will be loud, passionate and exciting. We have seen that in other places, so we draw the parallels and draw up on those experiences."

But since 2002, Honduras haven't delivered, going 0-7 against the Americans. The last time the USA traveled to San Pedro Sula, in 2001, the Yanks came away with a 2-1 win thanks to a late Clint Mathis goal. Finally, the Americans are 3-0 against them this year alone, having faced Honduras three times in 47 days this summer thanks to World Cup qualifying and Gold Cup play.

Bradley doesn't think that matters much, saying: "It's probably not a huge factor. We had a good match with them in Chicago in qualifying, since then we've played them twice both times in the Gold Cup, and both the United States and Honduras didn't have all their regulars. We know each other very well. There's a great deal of respect, and if you look at their group of players, there's talent."

Missing for Honduras is key playmaker and captain Amado Guevara, and Elvis Turcios, both suspended for cards. Out for the USA is Clint Dempsey (shoulder) and Jay DeMerit (eye), but old man Frankie Hejduk, making a return at 35, was a late add for the USA.

Dempsey's loss looks worse on paper. He has struggled with the USA of late, and has been visibly unhappy with his role on the squad. His absence opens up a slot for Stuart Holden, who was the lone man to impress during the Gold Cup.

The USA also comes into the game with eight players carrying cards, meaning that a key player could be suspended for what might be a make-or-break game at RFK the following Wednesday against Costa Rica. The biggest name toeing that line is Landon Donovan, a player who has carried the American team on his shoulders this year. When Donovan succeeds, so do the Yanks, and Honduras will certainly target the American playmaker from the outset.

Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies are expected to start again up top, in what Bradley must hope is a partnership for the future. Davies has proved to be the sharper of the two, and Altidore is currently enduring an indifferent stint at Hull City.

In the back, Tim Howard is expected to backstop Hejduk, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu and Jonathan Spector, while Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark and Holden support Donovan. Other candidates include Steve Cherundolo — who played in 2001 against Honduras — Benny Feilhaber, Jonathan Bornstein, Robbie Rogers and Brian Ching.

But despite a workmanlike roster, what has been missing for the Americans is cohesion and spark. Surely, the Hondurans have paid close attention to the USA's poor, if winning, performance against Trinidad and Tobago last time around and know that if Wilson Palacios, Carlos Costly and David Suazo can string balls together and run the Yanks around, they can poke big holes in their back line.

Too often the Americans have played a kick-and-chase style of game, in the hope of out-muscling a smaller opponent. In this charged atmosphere, that is unlikely to pay dividends.

U.S. fans will be hoping the Americans show more grit on the road than they have recently, and few more ideas to boot.

The CONCACAF hexagonal in brief

There are four nations chasing three automatic spots with the USA currently on 16 points, Mexico next on 15, then Honduras (13) and Costa Rica (12). El Salvador (8) and T&T (5) are along for the ride but could play huge spoiler roles.

That's because Mexico hosts the Salvadorans Saturday while Costa Rica is at home against T&T. Should either of the home sides falter there could be tremendous pressure come Wednesday's final round.

No matter what happens Saturday Costa Rica will be at the United States in a "live" match on the final night. Even if the Ticos beat T&T and the Americans beat Honduras, Costa Rica would still only have a two-point lead in the race for the final spot.

Mexico finishes at T&T and should be relatively safe by then.

What no one wants is to finish fourth. That nation will face a two-leg playoff against South America's number five — not an easy assignment.

Jamie Trecker's newest book, "Love and Blood: At the World Cup with the Footballers, Fans and Freaks" is out now from Harcourt. Jamie is assisted by Jerry and Janice Trecker. Contact Jamie at jamie.trecker@gmail.com and visit his blog and website at www.jamietrecker.com.

The views and opinions expressed by Jamie Trecker do not necessarily reflect those of the Fox Soccer Channel or FoxSoccer.com.