After rallying in a two-legged Caribbean/Central American playoff against French Guiana (agg: 4-3) to claim the last spot in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Honduras left no doubt about its participation in the 2017 edition. 

The Catrachos (4W-1D-0L, 13 points) went unbeaten in five games to finish first in the 2017 Copa Centroamericana; securing its 13th-ever berth in CONCACAF’s biennial championship for national teams.

Midfielder Jorge Claros earned Golden Ball honors at the Copa, while forward Eddie Hernandez took home the Golden Boot with three goals.  Right-back Jairo Puerto and attacker Erick Andino joined them in the Best XI team.

For all of Honduras’ Copa success, however, it is possible each of those standouts will see limited, if any, playing time in the Gold Cup.  Many of the regulars, who compete abroad, didn’t participate in the January event.

The depth being developed by head coach Jorge Luis Pinto, though, gives belief that Honduras can return to the knockout rounds at the Gold Cup after not advancing past the group stage two years ago for the time since 2003.  In fact, it reached three straight semifinals, before finishing last in Group A in 2015.

Alberth Elis, Oscar Boniek Garcia and Romell Quioto have each scored at least one goal in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.  The trio are all with the Houston Dynamo and that familiarity should be beneficial come July.

While Honduras’ defensive abilities in a Gold Cup has rarely been questioned, the offense has not always provided the needed boost.  Through 2015, the Hondurans have struck for one goal or fewer in their last seven outings in the tournament.

If Pinto can solve the scoring dilemma, a full-strength Honduras could push for its first-ever Gold Cup crown.