“While Honduras finds itself increasingly isolated after its president was deposed in a coup d’état, the poor Central American nation is gaining respect in another area of consuming international interest — soccer. A home victory against the United States on Saturday would virtually assure Honduras of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1982. Barring a dramatic incident, the country’s 7.8 million residents will — for two hours at least — be largely focused not on the continuing political crisis but on perhaps the most anticipated sporting event ever held in Honduras.” (NYT)