Siebatcheu Pefok strikes late to send U.S. to Final

DENVER, Colorado – A late goal from Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok earned the United States a dramatic 1-0 victory over Honduras in the semifinals of the 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Thursday night at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

The two sides battled throughout and were on the verge of a penalty shootout, only to see Siebatcheu Pefok tilt things in favor of the U.S. to send them to the Final.

The first big chance went the way for the U.S. in the 10’, with Giovanni Reyna slaloming past a pair of Honduran defenders but firing wide of the post.

Honduras were dangerous as well and an Alberth Elis header looked set to give the Catrachos a lead, but U.S. FW Josh Sargent managed to clear the ball off the goal-line with a header.

Back and forth the teams went and chances for Sargent and Christian Pulisic for the U.S. required big saves from Honduras GK Luis Lopez, followed later by Antony Lozano nearly connecting on an Elis cross right in front of the U.S. goal moments before halftime.

Honduras continued to take advantage of space in the U.S. half and in the 50’ Lozano looked set to score, but was denied by U.S. GK Zack Steffen, keeping things scoreless.

Honduras remained on the hunt for an opening goal and some good movement from Elis yielded a shot in the 65’, but his right-footed effort sailed over the crossbar.

Just when it looked like the two sides would have to settle matters in a penalty shootout, the U.S. struck for the lone goal in the 89’, with Siebatcheu Pefok heading into net a cross from Weston McKennie to give the U.S. a dramatic 1-0 victory.