Honduras' Jose Garcia and United States' Jesus Ferreira argue during the Olympic qualifier
Honduras' Jose Garcia and United States' Jesus Ferreira argue during the Olympic qualifier Image Credit: AP

Dubai: The United States missed a chance to earn a spot in the Olympic football tournament on Sunday, losing to Honduras 2-1 in the Under-23 qualifier in Guadalajara, Mexico.

It’s the third straight time the US has failed to qualify for the Olympics. This year’s Games are set for Tokyo.

Honduras took the lead with goals in first-half stoppage time and early in the second half, and held on as the US could muster only one goal in response.

Juan Carlos Obregon Jr scored Honduras’ first goal, beating US keeper David Ochoa from close range in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the first half.

Luis Palma grabbed the second for Honduras just two minutes into the second half. It’s the fourth straight time Honduras has earned an Olympic berth.

The US got one back through a 20-yard effort by Jackson Yueill, but it was not enough.