Ricardo Pepi scored a goal and had three assists as the United States raced to a 4-1 win at Honduras in a World Cup qualifying match that saw Christian Pulisic hobble off with an injury.
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The result in San Pedro Sula gives the USMNT its first win after two consective draws to open up the qualifying round.
FC Dallas star Pepi, 18, was the standout star in his international debut as he became the second youngest USMNT player to appear in a World Cup qualifier, after only Pulisic.
Honduras had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Brayan Moya headed the ball past keeper Matt Turner following a breakdown in a revamped midfield that also featured several players making their qualifying match debut.
Following the break, U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter made several lineup changes, including introducing Antonee Robinson, whose 48th minute shot off Pepi’s initial attempt equalized the match.
In the 62nd minute, Pulisic was substituted off after he appared to have an injury.
Pepi then scored the U.S. squad’s second in the 75th minute when he headed in DeAndre Yedlin’s cross.
Brenden Aaronson sealed the three points when he powered in a shot in the 86th minute with Sebastian Lletget scoring in stoppage, both set up by Pepi.
